Cavaliers Overpowers Arrows in Fashion with 20 Point Win
In a must win situation to stay alive in conference play, the Walsh Cavaliers women’s basketball team defeated the Arrows of Ursuline 68-48. With a 3-6 record in the Great Midwest Conference, the Cavaliers needed the win over the Arrows to stay alive for the G-MAC tournament at the end of the regular season. Standing at a solid 8-2 conference record, the Arrows are currently at a comfortable 2nd seed in the standings, just sitting under the Ashland Eagles who are currently 9-0 in the G-MAC.
Straight from the tip-off, the Cavaliers were a different team from their first matchup against the Arrows, where they lost 68-58 in Pepper Pike. The Cavaliers came out the gate swinging big, tallying up 22 points in the 1st quarter, while only allowing 8 from the Arrows. Looking to extend their double digit lead, the Cavaliers put up an additional 25 points to the Arrows’ 15, going into the half with a 24 point margin 47-23. Freshman Forward Alycia Triplett led the half with 12 points and 4 rebounds, while freshman Guard Sami Kim followed with 11 points and 3 assists and sophomore Forward Kiley Dyrlund adding 10 points and 3 rebounds on the half. For the Arrows, freshman Guard Alexis Frazee led the half with 10 points, while junior Forward Riley Stopp followed with 7 points.
Picking up where they left off, the Lady Cavaliers continued to get themselves out of reach of the Arrows, despite their attempts to make a comeback. The Cavaliers finished the 3rd quarter with 12 points to the Arrows 14, with senior Guard Michaela Cloonan leading the charge with 8 of the Arrows’ 14 points. Despite their efforts in the 2nd half, it wasn’t enough as the Cavaliers claimed victory at the final buzzer 68-48.
Final Stats:
Forward Kiley Dyrlund and Forward Alycia Triplett led the game with 14 points and 7 assists each, while Guard Sami Kim followed with 11 points and sophomore Guard Ella Neitzel adding 8 points off the bench for the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers, who lead the G-MAC in steals and blocks, forced 25 turnovers for 27 points, while also collecting 6 blocks. For the Arrows, Guard Alexia Frazee led the game with 14 points off the bench, while Guard Michaela Cloonan followed with 10 points.
The Cavaliers advanced to a 5-10 record (3-6 G-MAC) on the season with the win, as they will travel to Crestview Hills, Kentucky to take on the Thomas More Saints on January 25th at 6pm. With 11 games left in the regular season, the Cavaliers hope to make a run to punch their ticket to the Great Midwest Tournament. With the loss, the Arrows fell to a 15-3 record (8-2 G-MAC) on the season. The Arrows will return back to Pepper Pike to take on the visiting Findlay Oilers on January 27th at 2pm. Sitting at 2nd seed currently, the Arrows hopes to bounce back and not lose their ground in order to stay as a high contender going into the tournament.