Nennig’s Game Winner Leads PNW Past Illinois Springfield Saturday
WESTVILLE, Ind. — Down by 1 with six seconds to go, freshman Brittany Barnard (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) had the ball in the top of the key then she found sophomore Danielle Nennig (Wrightstown, Wis./Wrightstown) near the baseline who connected on the game-winning shot with 0.6 seconds left in the game.
The Pride stopped any last second miracle effort from Illinois Springfield and earned the victory, 71-70, at the H.D. Kesling Gymansium inside the James B. Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex on Saturday.
Illinois Springfield led 16-11 after the first quarter but the Pride were able to cut in to its deficit in the second quarter after junior Bayley Goodman (Fowler, Ind./Benton Central) was able to find open space and knock down a three to make it 25-21.
That was the cloest the Pride got in the first half as the Prairie Stars led by 7 at the break.
Sophomore Lanie Allen (East Noble, Ind./East Noble) knocked down a huge jumper with 11 seconds left in the third quarter to make it 51-47 UIS.
PNW had another strong fourth quarter, starting off on a 7-3 run capped off by an Allen layup to tie the game at 54-all.
Freshman Molly DeValkenaere nailed a huge three to give the Pride its first lead of the game with 1:48 left.
The two teams then traded baskets, UIS regained the lead after a layup by Lauren Ladowski to make it 68-67. DeValkenaere hit another clutch basket with 1:09 left to put PNW ahead 69-68, but the Prairie Stars regained the lead again with 48 seconds left after a pair of free throws by Jasmine Sangster.
With the Pride down 70-69 with six seconds left, Barnard was able to find Nennig who gave the Pride the lead and their first win of the season.
Barnard led PNW with her first career double-double, scoring 14 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Goodman led the Pride in scoring, adding 15 points and also adding eight boards. Nennig also pitched in 14 points in the victory to round out the PNW leaders.
PNW returns to action next Saturday, November 17 as the Pride travel to St. Louis, Mo. to take on the Missouri-St. Louis Tritions, game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT.
