The National League in women’s intramural basketball saw its last two undefeated teams face off Monday night as the Beta Epsilon Chi Cardinals A team took on the Theta Sigma Chi Colts A team. Each team went into the game with a perfect 6-0 record, seeking its seventh win of the season. The Cardinals slipped by the Colts in the end, winning by a single point, 24-23.
The Colts dominated the Cardinals on the defensive end during the first eight minutes of play, holding the Cardinals to just one point, scored by sophomore Bekah Misiura four minutes into the game. The Colts struggled offensively, however, and were able to capture only a seven point lead, 8-1.
With about 12 minutes left in the first half, the Cardinals turned up their offensive intensity and saw points come from three different players to tie the score at 8. Misiura had a couple of baskets underneath while senior teammate Rachel Hicks added two more points and Jessica Vanderwilt, a junior, contributed one from the free throw line.
Theta Sigma then called a timeout, hoping to regroup and stop the Cardinal scoring run. The timeout proved effective as Colts junior Jenn Allen scored right out of the timeout, cutting through the lane and putting in a jumper.
Neither team scored over the next four minutes until Misiura finally ended the scoring drought when she drew a foul that sent her to the free throw line. Misiura hit both shots, tying the score 10-10 with under four minutes to play in the first. Misiura plagued the Colts’ defense all night, drawing several fouls including one shortly before the end of the first half, where she was able to hit one more free throw. Misiura led all scorers with nine points, eight of which were in the first half.
As the first half began to wind down, the Colts found themselves up 14-11 with under a minute to go until senior Trisha Irving stole the ball and put in a fast-break layup with just 16 seconds to go. The Colts were unable to respond afterward but headed into halftime with a 14-13 advantage.
The Colts struck first in the second half to go up three for the largest lead of the second half for either team. Cardinal freshman Charis Byrd answered just 14 seconds later with a shot off the glass to close the gap back to one, 16-15. Each team traded baskets, and as the game went on, neither team was able to gain the upper hand.
With just over four minutes remaining in the game, the score was tied again at 23. The Colts committed a few crucial fouls in the final minutes, but the Cardinals were unable to capitalize, until sophomore Treasure Peneku was fouled and sent to the free throw line to shoot one-and-one with under two minutes left. Peneku swished the first and missed the second, giving the Cardinals a one-point lead.
The Colts had several scoring opportunities in the final seconds because of their impressive offensive rebounding. But the Colts could not convert, and the Cardinals went on to win the game 24-23. The Colts dropped to 6-1 while the Cardinals improved to 7-0 on the season.
