Women's Basketball Cruises to Win Over Michigan-Dearborn

(Lansing, MI)-- After a slow start, the Cleary Cougar women's basketball team came alive, and rolled to an 80-53 WHAC victory over the visiting Michigan-Dearborn Wolverines.

The first quarter was a sluggish one, as the two teams combined for nine points through the first 6:45 of game play.  Melanin Holman would get fouled, making both free throws to give the Cougars a 6-5 lead, one they would never relinquish.  After trading points, Cleary would go on a mini-run, taking a 14-7 lead late in the quarter.  The Wolverines would cut into that lead, but the Cougars would hold a 15-10 advantage through the first ten minutes.

After trading more baskets to start the second quarter, Jess Andrew connected from behind the arc, giving Cleary a six point advantage.  A steal and layup by Melanin Holman, made it an eight point game, and two Jess Andrew free throws gave the Cougars their first double-digit lead of the game.  Cleary would continue to put the pressure on, building a 35-20 lead late in the half.  The Wolverines would make two free throws on their final possession, but the Cougars went into the half with a 35-22 lead.

The third quarter was all Cleary, and it started with the combination of Izzy Dugal inside, and Evalyn Cole and Samantha Hoelscher connecting from downtown to build an eighteen point lead within the first three minutes of the half.  With just over four minutes left in the quarter, Caitlyn Rayl would convert an and-one to give Cleary a 56-34 lead.  The offense continued to fire on all cylinders to finish the quarter, as the Cougars led 65-44.

The final ten minutes was more of the same, and after Evalyn Cole made a free throw with 2:45, the Cougars held their largest lead of the game at 78-49 with 2:45 to play.  Another Evalyn Cole jumper late scored the final points of regulation, with Cleary going on to win 80-53.

Cleary used a balanced offense to earn the victory, with five different players scoring in double-figures.  Izzy Dugal, Melanin Holman, and Evalyn Cole all tied for the team lead with 15 points.  Holman would add 7 rebounds and 7 assists.  Samantha Hoelscher and Makenna Jarratt also had 10 points each, with Hoelscher grabbing 8 rebounds.  Jess Andrew chipped in 8 points and 6 assists.

The win gives Cleary an 11-10 record overall, 9-6 in the WHAC.  The Cougars will travel on Saturday, January 31, to Sylvania, Ohio to take on the Lourdes Gray Wolves in a matchup of top-five teams.  The game is scheduled to begin at 1:00 PM.