IOWA FALLS, IA – The Bay College Norse Women's Basketball Team (1-2) found themselves in a close battle, but the Palm Beach State Panthers (2-0) pulled away late for a 77-65 victory.
The Norse trailed for much of the first quarter. With both teams playing an up-tempo style, Bay put pressure on their opponents by getting to the rim early and creating some foul issues for the Panthers. Palm Beach State was forced to go deeper into their bench then they did in their previous game.
Kennedy Sproule (FR, Winnipeg, MB) hit a three-pointer to give the Norse their first lead of the game late in the first quarter. Siena Lingle (FR, Marquette, MI) used her speed to attack the Panthers, picking up seven points in the opening frame. Bay ended up with a 20-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Bay's run continued into the second period as Ashlee Burchette (FR, Minneapolis, MN) knocked down a pair of shots from behind the three-point arc and Sproule added another from deep. The Norse lead would grow to 11 points midway through the second quarter.
The Panthers weathered the storm and started to cut into their deficit. Second chance opportunities were big for the team from Florida. Bree Williams (FR, Mansfield, FL) and Savannah McAfee (SO, Apopke, FL) had a big part in the run, as they each put up nine points in the second quarter, many of them off of rebounds and put-backs. The Norse lead evaporated as the Panthers made a late run and went into intermission leading by a score of 40-34.
The game remained close throughout the third quarter. Sproule hit two more three-pointers and four free throws in the quarter for ten points, while Lingle continued to have a hot hand as well, picking up seven points in the frame. The Panthers never surrendered the lead however, and the score stood in their favor at 61-58 heading into the final period.
The Norse had a chance to tie the game early in the fourth quarter. Burchette got loose going down the right side of the lane and was fouled as her shot went through the net, putting the Norse down by just one. The ensuing free throw attempt would rim out, and that would be as close as Bay would get. Palm Beach State would gain an advantage on the rebounding battle again, creating some long possessions with second and third chances. Top Panther players were able to stay out of foul trouble late, putting more pressure on Bay. The Norse ended up going cold from the floor as well, and could only muster seven points in the quarter, as they watched their opponents build their first double-digit lead late in the game. Palm Beach State would escape the contest with a 12-point victory.
Lingle would lead all scorers with 20 points and despite being listed at 5'4", was able to grab 15 rebounds. Burchette knocked down three three-pointers in the first half, and ended up with 19 points. Sproule hit on four from behind the arc and had 17 points.
For Palm Beach State Williams and McAfee were the leading scorers with 15 points apiece. Taylor Blackshear (FR, Palm Beach Gardens, FL) picked up 14 points.
The Norse will finish their time at the Ellsworth Community College Classic Tournament on Saturday with a match up against Highland Community College (IL). That game is scheduled for a noon tip.