No. 20 women’s basketball upsets No. 4 MNU

Story by Sara Bell, Editor

The No. 20 Baker University women’s basketball team ended a 10-year losing streak to No. 4 MidAmerica Nazarene University on Thursday, upsetting the Pioneers 84-72 in Olathe.

MNU entered the game at 17-1 on the season and led the Heart of America Athletic Conference with a 9-0 record in league play. The Pioneers now share a piece of the leader board as Baker improved to 9-1 in the HAAC.

Baker jumped out to a 6-0 lead to start the game, but MNU quickly bounced back with three straight 3-pointers from sophomore Megan Balcom. The rally gave the Pioneers a 12-8 advantage, a lead they held on to for the next nine minutes. A bucket by senior BriAnna Garza gave the Wildcats a one-point edge with 5:33 to play before halftime, but MNU refused to stay down.

The Pioneers entered the break with a 37-34 lead, but Baker outscored MidAmerica Nazarene by 15 points in the second half. Sophomore Macy Wallisch led the comeback with a career-high 22 points. The center also received help from Garza, who fell just short of a double-double, posting 21 points and nine assists. Junior Rashida Simpson also made an impact off the bench, with 11 points and eight rebounds.

The victory marks the Wildcats’ seventh straight win, pushing their season record to 16-5. Baker will look to keep the win streak alive against Central Methodist University on Saturday in Collins Center. BU handed the Eagles a 72-63 home loss earlier this season, but Central Methodist has won seven of its last eight games. The HAAC matchup begins at 2 p.m.