Pride comeback falls just short in 64-61 Heart Semifinal loss to Benedictine
DUBUQUE, Iowa - In a rematch against the only team to defeat the Clarke University women's basketball team this season, it was a repeat performance in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament Semifinal as Benedictine College came away with a 64-61 win on Saturday evening.
A rough first quarter got the Pride behind 20-9 after the end of the period as the Ravens would eventually get their largest lead to 16 points at 32-16 before the halftime lead was one again 11 points at a 39-28 Ravens advantage.
The offensive efficiency was near polar opposite for the team with the lead than it was for the team trailing as Benedictine shot at 50 percent or better in the first two quarters, going 8-for-15 (53.3%) in the first and 8-for-16 (50%) in the second, as Clarke made only seven total field goals in the first half, using a 13-for-15 (86.7%) first half from the free throw line to even keep it within 11 points after 20 minutes.
Playing the third quarter to a 16-10 CU advantage, the Pride defense led the charge, holding BC to 4-for-13 (30.8%) from the field, forcing five turnovers, four of which on steals, and blocking two shots as they cut the lead to as few as two points twice at 40-38 then again at 43-41 but the Ravens scored six unanswered points before Taylor Haase finished the period with a layup through contact for a three-point play to finish the third at 49-44.
With back-to-back Mya Merschman buckets to start the fourth, Clarke tied the game for the first time since 0-0 at 49-49 but Benedictine would never allow CU to take a lead the entirety of the fourth quarter with the latest tie coming at 51-51 before an Aaliyah Raines basket gave the Ravens the lead back and they would never give it up the remainder of the game.
With about 30 second left, and a 63-60 BC lead, Nicole McDermott was fouled to shoot two free throws as she would hit the first but miss the second but Merschman would cause a tie-up with the possession arrow pointed in Clarke's direction with about 14 seconds remaining.
After their original play design was defended the ball would find Taylor Norris who would drive right from the left wing and throw up a shot in the lane through contact that would go in as the officials' whistles blew, causing the Kehl Center crowd to anticipate an and-one free throw with chance for Clarke to take the lead but Norris was called for an offensive foul and Benedctine would kill enough time to prevent another realistic offensive opportunity for CU, ending the game.
Haase was the most consistent offensive force on either side, finishing 8-for-16 (50%) from the field and 11-for-15 (73.3%) from the free throw line to finish with a game-high in points (27) and rebounds (10) for her 12th double-double of the season. Merschman was the only other member of the Pride in double figures, finishing with 12 points as Norris added eight, McDermott scored six, Madison Lindauer had five points, and Maci Kuchta scored three points.
Benedictine also only had two in double figures led by Jennifer Jacobs' 15 points on 6-of-8 (75%) shooting from the field with Raines adding 10 points and seven rebounds, scoring six of her 10 in the fourth quarter, including a pair of jump shots that kept BC up by two possessions.
Clarke women's basketball will now have 13 days before their next game as they will focus preparations to defending their NAIA Championship with the first round of the NAIA Tournament scheduled for Friday, Mar. 15 as the Pride will host the first and second rounds in the Kehl Center.