The Baker University women’s basketball team is on a seven-game winning streak after defeating Peru State College Thursday, 62-55, and Culver-Stockton Saturday, 76-75.
On Saturday, the Wildcats were down by one with 3.6 seconds left on the clock when junior Ciarra Washington was fouled and stepped up to the free throw line, draining both for the win.
Related Story
Head coach Ben Lister is proud of Washington’s perseverance and ability to make “critical plays down the stretch.”
“I told her that she only needed to make one (free throw) and that she didn’t need to worry about making both of them, and I think that helped her relax a little bit and she just went up there and knocked them down with confidence,” Lister said.
The team as a whole made 23 of 25 free throws and had a field goal shooting average of 40-percent compared to the 23-percent they shot when they lost to Culver-Stockton earlier in the season.
“Culver beat us at their place and I thought it had a lot to do with the fact that we didn’t shoot the ball well, but tonight I realized that they are just a good team,” Lister said. “We don’t match up particularly well with them but to come out and get another win and play well down the stretch is just a credit to our kids in having a lot of mental toughness and being able to finish games.”
On Thursday, Baker traveled to Peru, Neb., to complete the season sweep over the Bobcats.
Three Wildcats scored in double figures against Peru State including seniors Rece Huddlin and Alisha Fanshier who each had 15 points, and junior BriAnna Garza who added 11. Lister is pleased with his team’s offensive game this season.
“I don’t know if we’ve had too many games where offense has been the problem for us,” Lister said. “We can score the basketball and it’s really tough for teams to guard us. That’s why we’re second in the conference in scoring.”
The Wildcats are currently third overall in the Heart of America Athletic Conference with an 11-3 conference record. They will next face MidAmerica Nazarene University, the top-seeded team in the HAAC.
Earlier in the season, Baker lost to the Pioneers 73-70, but Lister is anticipating success in the game which will be on MidAmerica Nazarene’s home court.
“I think we feel like we can play with anybody in the conference and be successful so I know our kids are going to be motivated,” Lister said. “It’s going to be a big game for us. They are a big rival of ours. There’s a lot at stake in that game, so it’s going to be a fun atmosphere and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
As of Feb. 5, MNU is ranked No. 9 in the NAIA Women’s Basketball Coaches’ and Baker is receiving votes. The rivalry will face off at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in Olathe.
