BEREA, Ohio – Baldwin Wallace University women's basketball team dropped a close game against crosstown rival John Carroll University on Friday night, as they fell 60-53 in the first game of a two-game set.
With the loss, the Yellow Jackets (3-2, 3-2 OAC) suffered their second straight defeat. The Blue Streaks (5-0, 5-0 OAC) shave a game off their all-time series deficit, as the Yellow Jackets now lead the series 58-27.
After setting a career-high in points at Marietta College on Saturday, January 30, sophomore Izzy Andrews (Ann Arbor, Mich./Rudolf Steiner) tallied 13 points, giving her back-to-back games of 10 or more points for the first time in her career. Junior Lilly Edwards (Dublin/Coffman) fell just shy of her third-straight double-double, notching 12 points and eight rebounds in the loss. John Carroll's Olivia Nagy tallied 15 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Blue Streaks.
Defense was the story of the first quarter, with both teams shooting under 25% from the field. The early difference came at the free throw line, with Baldwin Wallace tallying five free throws in the quarter and thus led 11-9 at the break.
Back and forth the two teams went in the second quarter as the offense picked up the pace, but both teams remained close and were tied at 26-26 at halftime. Andrews and junior Megan Scheibelhut (Avon Lake/Elyria Catholic) delivered a spark for the offense, shooting a combined 4-for-6 from the field in the quarter for 10 points.
Things appeared to be going the Yellow Jackets way as they raced out to an eight point lead behind six more points from Andrews. Junior Emily Lyon (Medina/Highland) proved valuable throughout the game, tallying two career highs with six points and five rebounds. However, the Blue Streaks rode some hot shooting at an opportune time, outscoring the Yellow Jackets 25-10 in the fourth to secure the victory.
The Yellow Jackets will return to action on Saturday, February 6 for the back end of the home-and-home series against the Blue Streaks. The Yellow Jackets will tip off at 6:00 p.m. in University Heights.
