Women’s Basketball Handles Goshen Monday Evening
The Valpo women’s basketball team took to the court for the last time before Thanksgiving Monday evening at the ARC, jumping out to a 20-point halftime lead on its way to a 72-41 victory over Goshen.
How It Happened
– After a quick start for the Beacons, Goshen put together a run and led 13-8 just past the midway point of the opening quarter.
– Valpo turned things around with a 15-2 run to close the period with a 23-15 lead. Fifth-year Leah Earnest (Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) scored five points during that run, while senior Katie Beyer (McHenry, Ill./McHenry) and sophomore Nevaeh Jackson (Fort Wayne, Ind./Northrop) contributed a pair of baskets apiece.
– Valpo’s defense didn’t surrender a field goal until the final minute of the second quarter, holding the Maple Leafs to 1-of-11 shooting in the period. The lead reached as many as 22 points before the Beacons took a 43-23 lead into the locker room.
– Goshen cut Valpo’s edge to 15 points at one point in the third quarter, but the Beacons were able to extend back out to a 58-36 lead with 10 minutes to play.
– In a fourth quarter played entirely by Beacon reserves, Valpo limited Goshen to just five points over the final 10 minutes of action.
Inside the Game
– Jackson matched her career high as she led all players with 20 points, hitting 8-of-13 from the field — including 3-of-6 from the 3-point line.
– Jackson was one of three Valpo players with three steals as well, as Beyer and sophomore Kayla Preston (Omaha, Neb./Millard North) both set career bests with their respective three thefts.
– Valpo racked up 15 steals as a team, its highest total since recording 16 last November at UAB.
– Jackson was one of four Beacons to score in double figures. Beyer came off the bench to deliver 12 points and five rebounds to go with her three steals.
– Earnest was an efficient 5-of-7 from the field for 11 points. She also tied for team-high honors with six rebounds and handed out three assists.
– Preston rounded out the quartet of double-figure scorers with 10 points, adding four rebounds and two blocked shots as well.
– Junior Fiona Connolly (South Burlington, Vt./Brewster Academy [La Salle]) came off the bench to match Earnest with six rebounds, surpassing her career best in the process. She also dished out a game-high four assists.
– Freshman Mor Shabtai (Tel Aviv, Israel/Tichonet) hit a pair of 3-pointers as she finished with seven points, three assists and two rebounds.
– Redshirt sophomore Bella Swedlund (Winner, S.D./Winner [Toledo/Kansas]) scored her first collegiate points with a free throw in the final minute.
– Valpo out-scored Goshen in the paint, 40-26 — the fifth consecutive game the Beacons have held the advantage in the paint, and the fourth straight contest it has been a double-figure margin inside.
Next Up
Valpo (2-4) returns to action this coming weekend as the Beacons trek to Bethlehem, Pa. for the Christmas City Classic. Valpo opens the tournament at 1:30 p.m. Saturday versus North Dakota, and will turn around to play either host Lehigh or Marist Sunday.
