Injuries and youth continued to plague the Baker University women’s basketball team as it went 1-9 over the holiday break.

Senior Molly Ediger returned from a knee injury during the break, but sophomore Lauren Shufelberger and freshman Ashley Jensen went down for multiple games each after knee and foot injuries, respectively.

“It was a big lift to get Molly back,” freshman Tayler Stacks said. “But it hurt our depth when we lost Lauren and Ashley, two guards.”

The Wildcats’ frustrating 10-game stretch continued on Dec. 16 against Azusa Pacific University in the Cruzin’ Classic in Miami Shores, Fla. Facing the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Division I No. 16 team, the ‘Cats lost, 84-74.

“We kept the game close and had chances to take the lead, but we just couldn’t get over the hump,” sophomore Hannah Eagleman said. “Their height and size was a big advantage for them.”

In the second game of the Cruzin’ Classic on Dec. 17, Baker faced another ranked opponent, Mount Marty College. The short turnaround proved difficult for the ‘Cats as they lost, 60-39.

Following the Cruzin’ Classic, the Wildcats went on a cruise to Mexico as a team for vacation and team bonding.

“It was great to just get away for a while,” freshman Holly Steffen said. “But we still got things done while we were away. We worked out on the boat every day in its fitness center.”

Following the team trip to Florida and the cruise, the Wildcats returned to Kansas to play Bethel College in North Newton. Senior Amanda Yates led the way for Baker with 25 points and 10 rebounds as the ‘Cats pulled out a victory on the road, 71-58. Ediger also contributed 15 points to the win.

“Against Bethel our two seniors, Amanda and Molly, stepped up for us,” Eagleman said. “They both played well and put up a lot of points.”

The win against Bethel gave the ‘Cats a little bit of momentum heading into the heart of their conference schedule, but it didn’t help get the ball rolling as they lost their next game to Benedictine College, 84-61, in Atchison.

The team’s struggles continued even after returning to its home court, Collins Center. The ‘Cats suffered close losses to Culver-Stockton College, 65-63, and Missouri Valley College, 62-57.

“Those two games hurt us,” Stacks said. “Both of them were games we could have won but came up just short.”

Baker’s rough 10-game stretch was completed with losses to rival William Jewell College, 62-43, and Avila University, 73-57.

“It’s been difficult, but we just have to keep working and keep getting better,” Stacks said. “It’s hard, but we have to fight through it.”

The Wildcats faced MidAmerica Nazarene University Thursday in Olathe. Results of the game were unavailable at press time.

The ‘Cats will stay on the road as they travel to face Central Methodist University at 2 p.m. Saturday in Fayette, Mo. Baker beat CMU, 78-49, on Dec. 2 in Baldwin City.opponent, Mount Marty College. The short turnaround proved difficult for the ‘Cats as they lost, 60-39.

Following the Cruzin’ Classic, the Wildcats went on a cruise to Mexico as a team for vacation and team bonding.

“It was great to just get away for a while,” freshman Holly Steffen said. “But we still got things done while we were away. We worked out on the boat every day in its fitness center.”

Following the team trip to Florida and the cruise, the Wildcats returned to Kansas to play Bethel College in North Newton. Senior Amanda Yates led the way for Baker with 25 points and 10 rebounds as the ‘Cats pulled out a victory on the road, 71-58. Ediger also contributed 15 points to the win.

“Against Bethel our two seniors, Amanda and Molly, stepped up for us,” Eagleman said. “They both played well and put up a lot of points.”

The win against Bethel gave the ‘Cats a little bit of momentum heading into the heart of their conference schedule, but it didn’t help get the ball rolling as they lost their next game to Benedictine College, 84-61, in Atchison.

The team’s struggles continued even after returning to its home court, Collins Center. The ‘Cats suffered close losses to Culver-Stockton College, 65-63, and Missouri Valley College, 62-57.

“Those two games hurt us,” Stacks said. “Both of them were games we could have won but came up just short.”

Baker’s rough 10-game stretch was completed with losses to rival William Jewell College, 62-43, and Avila University, 73-57.

“It’s been difficult, but we just have to keep working and keep getting better,” Stacks said. “It’s hard, but we have to fight through it.”

The Wildcats faced MidAmerica Nazarene University Thursday in Olathe. Results of the game were unavailable at press time.

The ‘Cats will stay on the road as they travel to face Central Methodist University at 2 p.m. Saturday in Fayette, Mo. Baker beat CMU, 78-49, on Dec. 2.