Basketball Women Come Up Short at Tabor

WICHITA, Kan. – Unable to get much offense going, the USAO women’s basketball team came up short last Saturday against Tabor College. The Drovers fell 63-50 to the Bluejays in a Thanksgiving weekend contest.

With the 13-point loss, USAO drops to 5-4 overall with just two non-conference games left on the schedule. This Monday, the Drovers travel to Oklahoma City for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff against Mid-America Christian. After nearly a month off, USAO travels to Lindsborg, Kan., on Dec. 31 for a 4 p.m. game at Bethany College.

On Saturday, USAO managed just 23 percent from the field and 2-of-11 from 3-point range and trailed by eight points, 26-18, at halftime. Tabor, meanwhile, hit 36 percent from the field and 3-of-4 from 3-point range.

The Drovers improved slightly in the second half, hitting on 42 percent from the field and 2-of-7 from 3-point range. The Bluejays countered with 35 percent from the field and 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.

Junior Katie Sterling was the only Drover in double figures with 13 points, six rebounds and four steals. Senior Karole Roberts finished with eight points and five rebounds, while junior Nicole Sherman added seven points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

Sophomore Kelli Keeble came off the bench to hit two 3-pointers for six points. USAO’s leading scorer, senior Christal Merriweather, scored five points, dished out a game-high four assists and collected four steals. Juniors Stephanie Russell and Christina Brown also finished with five points each, and sophomore Nikki Yager added eight rebounds and a free throw to round out the scoring for USAO.

For the game, USAO hit 32 percent (20-of-62) from the field, 22 percent (4-of-18) from 3-point range and 50 percent (6-of-12) from the free throw line. The Drovers collected 45 rebounds, 12 steals, seven assists and committed 15 turnovers.

Tabor finished with three players in double figures, led by Jill Hein with 19 points. Erica Hemmert finished with 12 points, while Donya Anderson added 11 points and a team-high 10 rebounds.