GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Olivet Nazarene University women's basketball team closed out 2021 in the Firestorm Classic as they played the Eagles of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on Thursday afternoon.  The Tigers took down the Eagles, 98-77.

The three-ball worked early on in the first quarter as Zanna Myers and Kaitlyn Engle both buried three's as the Tigers took a 14-4 advantage.  With four minutes left at the score 19-15, Olivia Demosthenes and Caroline Boehne both made jumpers to make the score, 23-17.  Boehne and Khendel Rolison ended the first quarter tallying field goals as the Tigers took a 10-point lead at 27-17 going into the second quarter. 

The Tigers kept up the momentum at the start of the second quarter as they jumped out to a 32-17 lead after a three by Myers and a jumper by Boehne. Neither team could muster up any offense in the next couple of minutes until Kennedy Johnson made a field goal making the score 35-23.  The Eagles outscored the Tigers at the end of the second quarter, 4-2, but the Tigers led 43-28 going into the half. 

Halftime: ONU 43, ERAU 28

Early in the third quarter, the Tigers saw baskets from Johnson and Rolison as well as Maggie Cora to make the score, 49-32. The Eagles tried to claw themselves back into the game but the Tigers used three's from Karina Smits and Rolison to extend their lead to 60-46.  The Tigers marked the final five points of the quarter as they led 68-54 going into the final quarter. 

Myers and Jamie Finn kicked off the scoring with a three to begin the fourth quarter. ONU pulled ahead by 20 at 74-54.  The Tigers kept up the aggression as Kaitlyn Clark, Anne Peters, and Demosthenes all contributed points, down the stretch. 

The Tigers earn their ninth victory of the season as they defeated ERAU, 98-77.

GAME VITALS

Final: ONU 98, ERAU 77

Records: ONU: 9-6 | ERAU 6-7

Location: Fultz Memorial Gym | Arizona Christian University | Glendale, Ariz.   

QUICK HITS

• Boehne led all Tigers with 17 points and 12 boards. 
• Myers buried four three's and followed with 16. 
• Smits followed with four three's as well and dropped 14 points. 
• Johnson followed Boehne with seven boards and Rolison had six. 
• The Tigers scored 25 points of 21 Eagle turnovers. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Tigers open their 2022 portion of the schedule jumping back into CCAC play hosting the Fighting Saints of University of St. Francis on Wednesday, January 5th at 5:30 pm. Inside McHie Arena. 

--ONU—

*Contact: Sam Viebrock, Sports Information Director, stviebrock@olivet.edu