Photo credit: Neil Faux
FOREST GROVE, Oregon-Inconsistencies played out through the first weekend of the season for the UMHB women’s basketball team. In many ways, it was the reason why the Crusaders lost to Trinity. It was also, in part, why they beat Rhodes, using a big fourth quarter to gain the win.Â
But against Willamette on the West Coast on Friday afternoon, UMHB did not just control the game for a handful of minutes at various points. The Crusaders established a lead and pulled away in an 86-49 win.
The victory improves UMHB’s record to 2-1 overall, as The Cru shot a blistering 47.8 percent from the field, and found a remarkable rhythm from the 3-point arc, going 8-of-16 from long range. Arieona Rosborough led the way offensively, scoring 23 points.
Both teams opened the contest with solid shooting, combining for 14 points and a 7-7 tie through the opening two minutes. The lead changed hands three times before Ashley Faux’s jumper put UMHB ahead, 11-10, with 7:01 in the first quarter. Willamette never led again.
The Bearcats cut the lead to a single point three times, but consecutive layups from Jaycie Brisco and Faux gave UMHB breathing room as the first quarter drew to a close, with the visitors from Belton in front, 21-16.
That was just the beginning. An 11-0 scoring run opened the second quarter, with Rosborough responsible for eight of those points. UMHB’s lead expanded to 16 points before Willamette scored nearly four minutes into the quarter. And notably, eight of those points came as the result of UMHB pushing the ball up the court in transition, keeping a fast pace that left Willamette scrambling to stop the ball as the Crusaders earned a number of layup opportunities.
By halftime, UMHB led 41-25, as Alexis Carmosino converted on a short-range jumpshot with eight seconds left. All afternoon, the Crusaders saw their offensive flow abundantly, with a number of players stepping up when a scoring opportunity arose. Rosborough led the way with 23 points, followed by Carmosino, who had 16. Lauren Baker tallied 10, and Faux contributed with nine. 12 different players scored at least once for UMHB in the win.
The third quarter was the key stretch for UMHB, as the Crusaders outscored their opposition, 27-15. That included a 15-0 scoring run, as Rosborough scored seven points in that span, repeatedly driving to the lane and scoring on a layup or free throws after being fouled.
Remi Adeleke’s jumper above the hands of a Willamette defender gave UMHB a commanding 65-31 lead with 2:16 left in the quarter. Ella Hartman soon followed with a 3-pointer as the clock ticked under a minute, putting UMHB up by 31, 68-37.
The Cru closed its win in the fourth, never letting up, as they outscored Willamette 18-9 over the final 10 minutes.
UMHB stat leaders
Points: Arieona Rosborough (23), Alexis Carmisino (16), Lauren Baker (10)
Rebounds: Ashley Faux (8), Arieona Rosborough (6), Kaitlyn Kollmorgen (4)
Assists: Lauren Baker (5), Arieona Rosborough (2), Katelen Brooks (2), Jaycie Brisco (2)
Up Next
UMHB battles Pacific on Saturday night at 8 p.m. CST in Forest Grove, Oregon. Pacific faced Chapman on Friday night, though a final score had not been reported at the time of writing. The Boxers enter the weekend 0-1 on the season.
