KENOSHA, Wis. (Duhawks.com) – Despite an impressive comeback effort in the second half, the Loras women's basketball team fell to Carthage 64-58 in their first road game of the season. The Duhawks struggled to put points on the board in the first half which created an 18-point deficit at halftime. The team was plagued by missed shots which ultimately allowed Carthage to gain and keep the lead.

TURNING POINT
After falling behind by 20 points in the first half, the Duhawks began the third quarter like a completely different team. Loras out-scored Carthage 40-28 in the second half. Offensive rebounds were key for the Duhawks, and they capitalized by scoring 23 second chance points on the night.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
Senior Kaitlin Phillips tallied the first points of the night, but that proved to be the only lead Loras (1-1) had during the game. Carthage (3-0) proceeded to make a 9-0 run and never looked back. With 4:22 remaining in the first, junior Terese McMahon answered Carthage with a layup to end the Duhawks' scoring drought. Sophomore Miranda Chapman followed with a 3-pointer, but Carthage's Morgan Harris answered with a layup on the next possession. Harris finished 32 points in the game, 18 of which were in the first half. After 10 minutes, the Lady Reds led 18-7.

Second Quarter
The second quarter brought with it more struggles from the floor as Loras simply could not get the ball to bounce in their favor. Fortunately, the Duhawks took advantage of their chances from the charity stripe, converting on 6-of-7 chances. Junior Lori Obendorf went 3-for-4 while senior Megan Jones was a perfect 3-for-3. Obendorf also recorded two blocks in the second quarter. The Duhawks held the Lady Reds from scoring in the final two minutes of the half to enter halftime trailing 36-18.

Third Quarter
Ready to redeem themselves the Duhawks began the second half like a new day. The team scored seven unanswered points started by a spark from junior Erin Weaver. Weaver began the quarter with a dish to Obendorf for a layup and followed with her own shot off the glass on the next possession. Jones drained a three to continue the scoring frenzy and cut the Carthage lead to 11.

For the next six minutes the team exchanged baskets but Loras started to creep closer and closer. Phillips scored consecutive 3-pointers to bring the game within eight points. The Duhawks' defense was key at this point in the game as they held Carthage to only 11 third quarter points while scoring 21 of their own. Loras ended the third quarter down by eight, 47-39.

Fourth Quarter
Once again the Duhawks and Lady Reds went back and forth to open the final quarter. With a layup by McMahon and a fast-break layup from Phillips, Loras found themselves within four with 5:48 to play. A timeout from Carthage was just enough to disrupt the Duhawks' rhythm and the Lady Reds opened a 5-0 run of their own. Loras continue to maintain their focus as both Jones and Chapman converted following offensive rebounds to bring the game back to four with 2:42 left in the game.

With one more basket from each team the score was 60-56 with 33 seconds left. Carthage had the ball, so Loras committed four consecutive fouls in an attempt to stop the clock. Unfortunately, both Harris and Bailey Gilbert made their free throws for Carthage to seal the win, 64-58.

FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME
Lori Obendorf | Obendorf was strong in multiple facets of Wednesday's game, leading the team in rebounds (11) assists (3) and blocks (2), in addition to scoring 11 points.

SOUNDBITES | Lori Obendorf


SOUNDBITES | Justin Heinzen



UP NEXT
Loras will travel to Minnesota to take on 16th-ranked Winona State (DII), the alma mater of assistant coach Jamie Majerowicz. Having started their season in late October, the Warriors are riding a five-game winning streak with their most recent victory over Saint Mary's.