BU defense silences Crusaders in 63-32 victory

Story by Sara Bell, Editor

The No. 13 Baker University women’s basketball team won its 13th-straight contest Saturday with a 63-32 victory over Evangel University in Springfield, Mo.

After the Wildcats survived a two-point home-victory over Evangel earlier this season, Baker may have expected another 40-minute fight. BU made sure this Heart of America Athletic Conference matchup wasn’t as close, though, limiting the Crusaders to their lowest offensive totals of the season.

The Wildcats opened the second half on a 19-1 run and allowed Evangel to score just eight more points during the half. The Crusaders shot 17 percent from the field and went just 2-19 from the 3-point line.

Baker, on the other hand, shot 45 percent from the field and had three players score in double figures. Senior BriAnna Garza led all players with 14 points and five assists. Junior Kyrstie Ehm followed with 13 points, and senior Shea Shoemaker chipped in 10. Sophomore Macy Wallisch, who leads the Wildcats with 199 rebounds on the season, pulled down 11 more Saturday.

The win puts Baker at 22-5 overall and 15-1 in conference play with just two regular season games remaining. Peru State College and Missouri Valley College are the only teams left on the Wildcats’ schedule. Peru State sits at 5-10 in conference play, while Missouri Valley has the fifth best HAAC record at 9-7.

Baker is scheduled to close out its home schedule against Peru State at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. The Wildcats will then finish their regular season against Missouri Valley at 2 p.m. Saturday in Marshall, Mo.