Yellowjackets’ Late Rally Falls Short Against Clarke in Tight 73-69 Contest

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Graceland University's women's basketball team fell just short in a hard-fought contest on the road against Clarke University, with a final score of 73-69. The Yellowjackets, now 2-2 on the season, showcased resilience and teamwork, battling back multiple times throughout the game. Despite the loss, the Yellowjackets exhibited positive strides in their gameplay, emphasizing the team's growth under head coach Willie Scott, who noted, "We're getting better—I told them tonight this is a marathon, not a sprint. It's not how we start; it's how we finish. Stay together!"

The game tipped off with an intense back-and-forth in the first quarter, as both teams vied for control. Graceland quickly established its shooting rhythm, going 7-for-20 from the field (35%) and hitting five 3-pointers to secure a 23-23 tie at the end of the first quarter. Key player contributions came from Camila Barreno and Kayloni Smolley, each recording six points, including two 3-pointers from Barreno. The team's rebounding and perimeter shooting in the first quarter set the tone for an energetic matchup.

In the second quarter, the Yellowjackets found themselves struggling to maintain their shooting efficiency, converting just 26.7% of field goal attempts. Clarke capitalized on Graceland's shooting slump and outscored the Yellowjackets 19-12 to take a seven-point lead into halftime. Graceland's Avery Walker-Henry remained active, adding two points from the free-throw line and collecting one of her team-leading three assists in the quarter.

The third quarter saw the Yellowjackets rally, cutting Clarke's lead as Graceland improved its shooting to 33.3% and successfully hit three of its eight 3-point attempts. Sophia Rodriguez came off the bench with an impactful quarter, scoring six points on two 3-pointers, helping the team narrow the margin. Graceland's defensive tenacity also played a role, holding Clarke to 33.3% shooting and forcing three turnovers, keeping the Yellowjackets within striking distance at the end of the quarter.

Entering the fourth quarter trailing by six points, Graceland mounted a determined push. The team converted 44.4% of its shots and continued to challenge Clarke's defense with contributions from Maxine Ampofo, who provided a key layup to cut the lead. Clarke's free throw efficiency, however, helped them fend off Graceland's comeback, going 8-for-10 from the line in the fourth quarter to secure the win.

Graceland's bench depth was also notable, with the reserves outscoring Clarke's bench 28-13. This depth and contribution from players like Rodriguez allowed the Yellowjackets to stay competitive, particularly in the critical final quarter.

The Yellowjackets shot 35.1% from the field, converting 26 of their 74 attempts, and maintained a 33.3% success rate from beyond the arc, hitting nine 3-pointers. Graceland's free throw shooting was a respectable 72.7% (8-for-11), compared to Clarke's 80% from the line (16-for-20). Rebounding was nearly even, with Clarke narrowly outrebounding Graceland 45-44, but Graceland held a distinct edge in second-chance points with 15 compared to Clarke's nine.

Graceland's defense managed to pressure Clarke into 14 turnovers, converting these into five points on the other end, while limiting Clarke's offense to just 38.5% shooting overall. However, Clarke's late-game efficiency from the free-throw line ultimately proved to be a deciding factor.

Key Player Performances

• Camila Barreno finished with 12 points, sinking two 3-pointers, and adding four rebounds in her 32 minutes on the floor.
• Kayloni Smolley added eight points, contributing four assists while remaining effective from the field, shooting 3-for-5.
• Avery Walker-Henry made her presence felt across multiple facets with nine points, three assists, and two steals, demonstrating her versatility.
• Maxine Ampofo was a force on the boards, collecting a team-high 12 rebounds and contributing 12 points, including key second-chance points that kept Graceland competitive in the paint.
• Sophia Rodriguez sparked Graceland's offense off the bench, leading the team in 3-point shooting efficiency by going 5-for-8 from beyond the arc for a total of 15 points.

The Yellowjackets return to their home court for their next matchup on Saturday, November 16, facing Missouri Valley at the Morden Center in Lamoni, Iowa. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. Graceland will look to build on the positives from the Clarke matchup and continue refining its offensive and defensive execution.

For more information on the Graceland women's basketball team and all of Yellowjacket athletics, visit GUjackets.com.