Kansas City, Mo.-<br/>The tears dripping down the Wildcats' faces after the game pretty much said it all.The tears dripping down the Wildcats' faces after the game pretty much said it all.
The tears dripping down the Wildcats’ faces after the game pretty much said it all.
They said the team had lost – after the most valiant of efforts – in the first round of the Heart of America Athletic conference tournament Wednesday to Avila University, 65-62.
What those tears didn’t say was the story of how the Wildcats (9-11, 15-15) got to that season-ending defeat.
Baker made No. 3-seeded Avila (15-5, 23-6) fight and scratch all the way to the game’s ultra-dramatic finish.
The opening moments of the game went better than according to plan.
Not only were the Wildcats able to go blow-for-blow with the Eagles, but they were also able to take the HAAC Player of the Year – Ashley Townsend – out of the game.
Sophomores Aubree Gustin and Josey McDiffett went right at Townsend early, causing her to pick up two fouls just three minutes into the game.
She rode the pine the rest of the half to ensure she was able to get some minutes in the second half.
Good move.
The teams went back and forth in the first half as neither team could muster a significant advantage.
Avila was up 13-7 before Baker fired off an 8-0 run – thanks to some strong shooting from senior captain Hannah Eagleman – to regain the lead for the ‘Cats.
Junior Jenna Brantley provided a nice spark off the bench for the ‘Cats in the first half as she rattled home two jumpers on her first two touches.
Baker went into the locker room down just five, 34-29.
The second half meant the return of Townsend. Shouts of “MVP” rained down from the rafters every time she touched the ball but the Wildcats defense – particularly sophomore Audrey Bryant – was up to the challenge.
Avila maintained a slim advantage for the first 15 minutes of the second half until Baker turned up the heat on defense.
The ‘Cats created turnovers on two consecutive possessions just under the seven-minute mark and freshman Gloria Atanmo capitalized, nailing a turn-around jumper to give BU its first lead of the half, 51-50.
The last two minutes were a roller coaster ride of emotions for the Wildcats as they built a 5-0 run to give themselves the biggest lead of the game, 60-53.
Avila fought its way back, however, and drew even with BU with just 2.7 seconds remaining. The Eagles went to the only person they could go to in a situation like that – Townsend – and she drained the game-winning 3-pointer, ending the season for the Wildcats. <br/>&#160; <br/>&#160;
