CLAREMONT, Calif. - The Ottawa University Arizona women's basketball team won their game against La Verne University Monday evening. The final score was 77-74.

"Our team earned this victory," Head Coach Milee Karre said. "We tried to pull away several times, but La Verne fought and pressed all 40 minutes." He continued, "We had so many good contributions from each member of the team, capped off by an unselfish play by Caronda to hit Bailey for the game-winner. As a player, you dream of that situation and to execute it is a pretty cool experience."
 
The Spirit started the game strong against the La Verne Leopards, battling for the lead and keeping it through the first quarter. The Leopards full-court pressed the Spirit throughout the game and were able to force some turnovers to help themselves back into the game. But OUAZ found the gaps in their defense to score with fast-break offensive plays.
 
Both teams worked hard to gain and maintain the lead as the score flipped back and forth throughout each half. In the fourth quarter, OUAZ made moves to extend their lead twice while the Leopards fought back to even the score. With 40 seconds left in the game, the Leopards tied the score at 74-74. In the last play of the game the Spirit brought the ball up the floor and, from an assist by Caronda Yazzie, Bailey Osmer found the three-point line and nothing but net to beat the buzzer and give her team the win.
 
The Spirit held higher shooting percentages for free-throws, field-goals, and three-point shots for the game overall. OUAZ also had double the turnovers for the game with 33 to the Leopards 17, but were still able to come out on top by out-rebounding La Verne 55-44 and blocking five shots for the night. Jorie Mayfield had a great performance leading her team with 13 rebounds and contributing 18 points to the game.

--SPIRIT--
 
 
About Ottawa University
Founded in 1865, Ottawa University prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment and service to God and humanity within a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry. Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution serving 3,000 students through its residential campuses in Ottawa, Kan., and Surprise, Ariz., and adult campuses in Overland Park, Kan.; Phoenix, Queen Creek and Surprise, Ariz.; Brookfield, Wis.; Jeffersonville, Ind.; as well as online. For more information, visit www.ottawa.edu. 
 
For more information about OUAZ athletics, visit http://www.ottawa.edu/ouaz/athletics. Follow OUAZ athletics on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OUAZSpiritAthletics/ and on Twitter twitter.com/OUAZSpirit.