CINCINNATI – The Heidelberg University women's basketball team traveled to Cincinnati to partake in the annual two-day Lauren Hill Tip-Off Classic at Mount St. Joseph University. The 'Berg took on Westminster (Mo.) in their first game of the weekend and notched their first win of season, 77-73.
Four 'Berg players notched double digit points, with
Bailey Walter picking up a double-double (15 points, 11 rebounds) – the seventh of her career.
Coming off the bench in her season debut,
Hallie Rogers had a team-high 16 points. They were helped out by teammates
Elisha Carter who tallied 13 and
Taylor Ratliff adding 11.
In the first quarter of action, Heidelberg would see themselves down 13-6 after Westminster's Avylina Powel-Qualo laid one in for two. The 'Berg would not be deterred and climbed back to tie it at 13 apiece after a Rogers steal turned into a Carter three pointer with 3:19 left in the quarter. Heidelberg would use that spark and take the lead at the end of the first 18-15.
The second quarter saw baskets being traded and Westminster would capitalize off a few Heidelberg turnovers to make the score 28-28 halfway through. With the game knotted at 34, Heidelberg's
Taylor Ratliff would knock down a three to make it 37-34 at the break.
The Student Princes would come out hot in the third quarter and saw themselves take a 50-39 lead off of a Rogers steal that she would take coast-to-coast. However, Westminster was not out and would climb back after a few Heidelberg miscues to tie things up at 53. The Blue Jays would take the lead going into the fourth, 57-54.
With a tight game down the stretch, Heidelberg would start out the fourth from behind the arc as Ratliff canned a triple to even things at 57 with 9:40 remaining. There was little breathing room for either team in the final quarter of play, but Heidelberg would make some room when Rogers knocked down a jumper making it 67-63 with 3:30 left to play.
Heidelberg held onto the lead as they scored their last five points from the charity stripe helping seal the victory 77-73.
The Student Princes won the rebounding battle, 40-37.
Cheyanne Bean had a team-high four assists.
Having strengthened their depth from a year ago, the Student Princes have scored a combined 69 points off the bench in the first two games.
The Heidelberg women's basketball team will return to Harrington Center tomorrow at 3 p.m. to face tournament host Mount St. Joseph.
