The Marian University Ancilla women's basketball team got back after it Saturday afternoon when they traveled to Chicago to take on Olive-Harvey College. The Chargers were able to secure a strong victory, 76-50, despite some ups and downs throughout.
Both teams opened slowly, struggling to score over the first few minutes. However, the Chargers found their rhythm midway through the quarter, leading after one by a 20-7 margin. The second quarter continued similarly, seeing the Chargers extend their lead to 30-10 before a timeout by the Panthers. Out of the timeout, Marian Ancilla scored the next two baskets, leading 34-10, then tensions flared a little causing a short stoppage. When play resumed, Olive-Harvey found the next 5 points, before the Chargers scored the final 6 points of the half, leading 40-15 at the break.
The Panthers seemed to regroup at the half, and they came out firing in the third quarter behind the play of Nakiyah Callon. By the end of the third 10 minutes, the Charger lead was cut to 56-37. The final stanza saw a lot of back and forth, before the Chargers took control once again, extending their lead to 30 points for a second time, before finalizing the win at 76-50.
Charger Freshman wing De'Mour Watson continued her strong play this season, scoring 28 points and pulling 10 rebounds, once again posting a double-double. Sophomore wing Samaria Freeman was great defensively, especially in the first half, helping to limit her matchups and forcing them into tough shots. Freeman stole the ball 4 times as well, plus she scored 12 points and picked up 4 rebounds. Freshmen guards Nasiya Gause (13 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) and Brooklynn Cooper (8 points, 2 steals, 1 assist) each played nice floor games, taking care of the basketball, while also finding key assists and scores here and there.
Callon led Olive-Harvey with 29 points, including a big third quarter, while Kaya Harris put together a strong fourth quarter for the Panthers, scoring 8 points in total for the game. Savannah Johnson also scored 8 points, but pulled down 17 rebounds as well.
The Charger women's basketball team is back in action next Saturday, January 13th, when they travel to Dowagiac, Michigan, to take on Southwestern Michigan College. Tip time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET with the men's game to follow at 3:00 p.m. ET. This is the first conference game for each team, so if you are able, please come out and support both Charger basketball teams!!
