BEREA, Ohio (Duhawks.com) - The Loras women's basketball team defeated La Roche on Thursday afternoon, 73-66, in the opening game of the Baldwin Wallace Holiday Classic. Senior
Lori Obendorf led the Duhawks with her second double-double of the season, posting a career-high 23 points and season-high 16 rebounds. The Duhawks advance to the tournament championship, where they will play against the hosts, Baldwin Wallace.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
First Quarter
- Obendorf opened the day on the right foot, capitalizing off an offensive rebound from junior Miranda Chapman. Obendorf's layup was the first of 13 second-chance points for the Duhawks on Thursday.
- Back-to-back 3-pointers from senior Kat Cabrera and junior Cyerra Hutchins gave Loras a 15-14 lead midway through the quarter.
- Cabrera added another 3-point play to her stat line as the Gilbert, Ariz. native hit a jumper after drawing a foul. The senior hit her free-throw, finishing with six points in the opening frame.
Second Quarter
- After scoring nine points in the first quarter, senior Terese McMahon converted on a defensive rebound by Hutchins to put Loras up 32-26 with 7:41 to play in the half.
- The Redhawks kept matters close with a 3-pointer to take a 45-42 lead just before the end of the second quarter.
Third Quarter
- An offensive rebound and putback from Hutchins pulled Loras to within three at 47-44 early in the third quarter.
- Obendorf returned to the spotlight for the Duhawks, converting on the and-1 opportunity for Loras' third such play of the game. As a team, the Duhawks shot 92.6 percent from the free-throw line compared to La Roche's stat line of 55.6 percent.
- Trailing by four with 5:30 to play, Loras started a 9-0 run, led by seven points from Obendorf, to take the lead at 55-50.
Fourth Quarter
- Cabrera ended an early 3-0 Redhawk run for the Duhawks to regain the lead with a made jumper at 7:57. Her jumper mobilized the Loras offensive attack to the tune of a 6-0 run, capped by a layup from sophomore Kennedy Wohlford.
- Down the stretch, La Roche cut the deficit to two with 2:47 remaining and again with 1:37 on the clock, but a 5-0 run from the Duhawks fueled by Hutchins and Obendorf sealed the win and capped the 23-point night for Obendorf.
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME
Lori Obendorf | The senior scored a career-high 23 points in addition to collecting a season-high 16 boards for the Duhawks. Obendorf also added two blocks and three steals. The Naperville, Ill. native shot 6-of-6 from the floor and 11-of-13 from the line.
UP NEXT
With the win over La Roche, Loras advances to the championship game of the Baldwin Wallace Holiday Invitational. The Duhawks tip-off against the hosts, at 5 p.m. EST, after Baldwin Wallace defeated Wooster, 76-61 to improve to 10-0 this season.
