ONU Athletics
Sam Viebrock, Sports Information Director
BOURBONNAIS – The Tigers open up conference play with a solid showing against the Trolls of Trinity Christian College. The Tigerball system worked wonders today with several key members of the ONU lineup scoring in double figures, and the team collectively shooting 37% from beyond the arc.
ONU came away with a 90-79 win on Saturday.
The Tigers (3-1, 1-0) started the game on a 9-0 run, initiated by a layup by Olivia Demosthenes(FR/Bloomington, Ill.), quickly followed by a Zanna Myers (JR/Monticello, Ill.) three-pointer. A timely three by Karina Smits (JR/Pewaukee, Wis.) would then give the Tigers a 10-point advantage going into the second quarter.
Eight different Tigers would add to the scoring in the second quarter. One of which was Caroline Boehne (JR/Hoffman, Ill.), who put home a layup on an assist from Katie Engle (SO/Kenosha, Wis.) as time expired in the half, only to have the Trolls (2-2, 0-1) sink a half-court shot at the buzzer. Still, the Tigers went into halftime with a 14-point lead.
Coming out after the intermission, the Tigers hit a lull in their shooting, and the Trolls took advantage. With two minutes left in the third quarter, the Trolls hit a three-pointer to tie the game. Then just moments later, Maggie Cora (SO/Lizton, Ind.) responded with a three-pointer of her own, giving the lead back to ONU.
Going into the fourth quarter, Coach Glenn’s squad shot a scorching-hot 71% from beyond the arc and continued to add to the lead. Smits and Myers would both add two more buckets from distance, with Kaitlyn Engle (SO/Wapakoneta, Ohio) adding to the total herself. When it was all said and done, the Tigers would pull away to win by 11.
Karina Smits led the way for ONU, filling out a stat line with 13 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block.
Zanna Myers had 12 points and Caroline Boehme recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards.
The Tigers will move forward with their conference schedule to take on Trinity International University on Wednesday, January 6. Tip-off will be at 5:30 pm CT, with the men’s game to follow.