The Wildcats’ four-game road streak came to an end Saturday when the squad lost its basket-brawl game, 46-35, to Evangel University.
Evangel used its significant size and strength advantage to out-muscle the visiting Wildcats in Springfield, Mo., bringing BU’s record to 12-12 on the season.
“It was the most physical game of the year without a lot of fouls being called,” sophomore Josey McDiffett said. “We knew they were a physical team, so we thought there would be more calls, but there wasn’t. There were a few dirty plays, but nothing too outrageous. There was nothing blatant. They just have a few very strong (women).”
Despite the noted forceful play, the Wildcats only went to the free-throw line nine times in the contest. They made seven, but were awarded zero trips to the stripe in the second half.
“That was the biggest difference in the game,” junior Tayler Stacks said. “They got to the line a lot more than we did.”
Eight more times, in fact. And Evangel converted on 15 of those attempts for an impressive 88 percent.
Stacks said Evangel did a solid job of taking Baker out of the game it is accustomed to playing – a quick tempo, fast-paced offense.
“They were a team that locked the ball and slowed the pace down,” she said.
In addition to executing its game plan, Evangel limited Baker’s shot opportunities and caused the Wildcats to be errant from the field.
“We just didn’t make key shots in the second half,” Stacks said. “Then when we did get some good opportunities, we just couldn’t hit them.”
The disappointing shooting night – 30 percent from the field and 15 percent from three-point range – caused the Wildcats to score a season-low 13 points in the second half.
Baker played Avila University Thursday in Kansas City, Mo., but results were unavailable at presstime. The Wildcats lost the previous cross-town rivalry game 73-50 Jan. 8 at Collins Center.
The squad’s next game is Saturday against Culver-Stockton College at Collins Center.
“We lost to them last year on Valentine’s Day,” sophomore Audrey Bryant said. “It will probably be a pretty good game. They’re streaky, but once they get going they can play well. We just can’t let them get off to a good start.”
