SANTEE, Calif. - The OUAZ women's basketball team fell to Hope International Saturday evening at San Diego Christian University. The final score was 76-74 with Hope just narrowly beating out the Spirit in the last seconds of the game.

"Cruel loss against a good team," said Head Coach Milee Karre. "We deserved the win, but sometimes sports isn't fair. I'm excited about the direction we are going, and we will try to build on this game."
 
The game began with both teams attempting to take control of the game. Each team held the lead for part of the first half, but the Hope International Hawks ended the first half by one point. The Spirit's three-point shooting kept them in the game earning 55% to the Hawk's 25%, and their defense allowed them to steal four times to the Hawk's one steal for the half.
 
To start the second half, the Spirit were able to hold the Hawks to a minimal lead, going into the final quarter only down by a point. The fourth quarter continued with both teams fighting for the win. At 2 minutes until the end of the quarter, the score tied 74-74 both teams played exceptional defense to hold each other even. In the final seconds of the game, one steal by the Hawks and a layup sealed the fate of the game giving Hope International the win.
 
Alexis Smith led the OUAZ Spirit with 22 points and five assists. She also earned seven rebounds for 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.