Grand Rapids, Mich. – Playing the #14 ranked team in the NAIA, the Judson University women’s basketball team (3-7) fell to Aquinas College (10-0), 79-60. This is the fourth nationally ranked team that Judson has played this season.
Senior Kelly Friestad led the Eagles with 11 points as she posted five assists and three rebounds. Kirstin Johns and Crystal Goodall added 10 points each. AC’s Alicia McCarthy led all scorers with 22 points.
The first 10 minutes of the game were a battle for both teams. JU took a 1-0 lead on a Friestad free throw and then just two minutes into the game had a 5-4 lead on another Friestad layup. AC reeled off seven straight points to take an 11-5 lead with 13:59 to go. Goodall cut the lead back to three, 11-8, at the 13:37 mark. AC had another run as they outscored JU, 10-4, in the next three minutes to make it 21-12.
JU did not back off and answered with their own 11-4 run to bring AC’s lead down to two, 25-23. Marissa Marshall’s shot brought the lead down to two with just 7:34 left in the half. With 6:50 to go in the half, Devonaye Henderson made a free throw to come within three, 28-25. At this point, AC took over the game and finished the half on a 14-2 run and a 15-point lead, 42-27.
In the second half, AC continued their offensive run and pushed their lead to 20 four times.
Judson finished shooting 39% from the floor, 21% from the three-point line, and 81% from the free throw line. AC shot 41% from the floor and 31% from beyond the arc. AC forced 23 Judson turnovers and out rebounded the Eagles, 43-38.
JU will not play again for 13 days until December 18th when they host the University of St. Francis at 5:30 p.m.
