HILLSBORO, Kan. Playing a few games on the road, the Bluejays are back home for the Tabor Classical Tournament. The ladies took on the University of Health and Pharmacy for their first game and outperformed them, 92-61.
The starting five for the Bluejays included senior guard Ja'Neysha Hendricks, junior guards Teegan Werth and Kassidy Beam, senior guard/forward Maddie McCoy, and senior forward Alyvia Owens.
Head Coach Shawn Reed exclaimed, "This was one of those unique and amazing games when it seemed like every shot we took went in the basket. I am not sure if I have ever had a team shoot 81% from behind the three-point line. We did an excellent job of moving the basketball and finding open people and we delivered passes that were on time and on target."
Quarter one started out fast and quick for the Bluejays, hitting four three-point shots in the first couple of minutes—shots hit by Ja'Neyhsa Hendricks, Madie McCoy, and Tegan Werth. Great ball movement kept the Eutectics to only 16. Wrapping up the quarter at 24-16 Bluejays.
Two minutes into quarter two, Kassidy Beam drains a three and a few minutes later does it again. Kloe Bowin got big on defense and offense drawing a foul. Lillie Veer and Miyah McGee got in on the action hitting big shots for the Bluejays. After a quick timeout for UHSP, they came out and made the game a bit closer, 50-27 Tabor.
"UHSP has a very good team and their guard Grace Beyer is one of the best players in the NAIA. I was very pleased that we made her work for every point she scored and I thought the group of people who guarded her played with tremendous effort and passion", said Coach Reed.
The third quarter for the ladies consisted of a lot of fast breaks and good defense. The Bluejays took advantage of the errors UHSP was making. With the result of good shooting, the Bluejays ended 69-43.
A slow start for both teams in the fourth quarter but after a steal around the 7:25 mark, Alicia Baker adds to the score with a layup to continue the rally going for the Bluejays. A great game for the team, adds for another win, 92-61.
Coach Reed gave a few shout-outs, "Individually, Madie McCoy had an amazing game for us. She was 6 of 11 from the floor, grabbed six rebounds, garnered five steals, and scored 15 points. Kassidy Beam had a tremendous night shooting. She was 5 of 5 from behind the three-point line for 15 points and grabbed four rebounds. Alicia Baker and Lillie Veer both came off the bench to score 14 points."
"Our next opponent will provide some different challenges. USAO is currently ranked #24 in the country and they are very athletic and have some tremendous scorers and shooters. We will have to rebound well and be sound defensively if we hope to compete with such a strong opponent", said Coach Reed.
The Bluejays' record comes out to 3-1 and play in the Tabor Gym on Nov. 11 at 3 p.m. against the University of Science and Arts.
Tabor College is a Christ-centered institution located in Hillsboro, Kansas. The Bluejays are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and compete in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC).
