Women's Basketball lost a tight battle at home Thursday night.
The Ravens lost to the (15) Central Methodist University Eagles 56-54.
The score was close all game, and the teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 42. A 3-pointer and a baseline jumper gave the Ravens a 5-point lead, but Arleighshya McElroy knocked in a 3-pointer to pull the Eagles within 2 points with 3:42 to play. Kennedy Nicholson pushed the Ravens lead to 54-50 with 1:36 to play, but the Ravens were able to score the remainder of the game.
CMU quickly scored after Nicholson's basket, then got a steal and layup to tie the game, 54-54, with 59 seconds to play. The Ravens were whistled for a shot clock violation, setting up the Eagles with possession with 27 seconds to play. McElroy held the ball to bleed the clock, then drove to the lane and was fouled. She made both free throws, giving her 26 points in the game, with 2 seconds left. The ensuing Ravens inbounds pass was stolen, sealing the win for the visitors.
Natalie Smaron had 13 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Ravens, eclipsing the 800-rebound plateau in her career. Skylar Washington had 12 points, Ali Brzozowski had 11 points, and Aaliyah Raines finished with 6 points and 6 assists.
The Ravens defense held the Eagles to 35.7% shooting in the game and 20 points below their season average. Offensively, the Ravens shot 43.4% from the field and had 16 assists on 23 made field goals.
The Eagles offense was white-hot in the first quarter, shooting 66.7% from the field and knocking down 3-of-5 from beyond the 3-point arc as the visitors took a 23-18 lead after one quarter of play. The Ravens weren't far behind, hitting on 50% of their shots in the first quarter.
Both teams cooled off in the second quarter, with the Eagles taking a 30-27 lead into the break. The Ravens battled back to tie things after three quarters of play. Washington's steal and feed to Nicholson gave the Ravens a lead for the first time since the early moments of the game. McElroy answered with a 3-pointer to give the lead back to the Eagles, but the Ravens kept fighting.
After the teams traded baskets, McElroy scored an and-1 to put the Eagles up 42-40, but Brzozowski hit a baseline jumper to tie it up and the teams headed to the fourth quarter squared at 42-42. It was the Eagles, though, who made the final plays of the game.
The Ravens (17-7, 9-5 Heart South) will travel to Iowa to take on Mount Mercy University on Saturday, Feb. 5.
