Top 25 Victory for Women's Basketball

OWENSBORO, Ky. – The Brescia University women's basketball team earned a top 25 win over #23 Shawnee State, 93-82, Saturday afternoon. The win improves the Lady Bearcats record to 19-5 overall and 10-2 in RSC play.

Deemed the River States Conference Game of the Week by the conference office, proved to be just that in this blockbuster game. The #23 ranked Bears of Shawnee State came into this matchup with a 17-6 overall and 8-3 RSC record. Most saw this game as the rematch from last year's RSC Semifinal game where the Lady Bearcats fell, ending their run in the tournament.

Caroline Lucas made the first point of the game after getting sent to the stripe for free shots. The Bears continued to show why they were appointed their ranking with their high-speed offense. Their defense, along with their speed, proved a deadly combo as the Bears forced seven turnovers just in the first quarter. Shelbie Beatty showed to combat the switch man defense with two off screen threes to give BU a one-point lead at the end of the opening quarter.

Brooklyn Stewart made the opening second quarter layup as she owned the next frame of the game with 11 of the Bearcat's 23 points. Eight of those 11 points came all within a minute as she continued to find space on the block. Graci Risley added to the total with back-to-back open threes, giving BU an 11-point advantage over the Bears going into the half.

The Lady Cats opened a 14-point lead over the Bears on a Jenna Krampe made bucket. The Shawnee State defense upped the intensity as they got within three of the lead. Caroline Lucas looked unconscious in the final five minutes of the third quarter as she strong armed her way to the basket for two consecutive and-1 layups. Lucas rebuilt the lead on her own with eight points in less than a minute.

Not much scoring happened in the first minutes of the final quarter as desperation heaves were made by both sides with no connections. The Bears worked their way back within seven of the BU lead with one final media timeout remaining. Stewart reentered the game and continued to have a career day. With under four minutes left to play, Stewart made the next three shot for the Bearcats, stretching the lead to 10. Beatty's free throws sealed the win for BU as they held the ball for the final seconds.

Brooklyn Stewart totaled her season and career high of 27 points on 85% shooting with four rebounds and two blocks. Caroline Lucas added 18 points while going 8-12 from the charity stripe with seven assists.

The Lady Cats will host Oakland City this coming Tuesday, Feb. 10, in The Den at 6pm.