ATLANTA- The Oglethorpe women's basketball team, led by senior Keimarya Rivera with 19 points and seven rebounds, took on the No. 9 Emory Eagles on the road Saturday afternoon in a close battle, dropping the nonconference game 69-61.
The Petrels opened the game with sharp shooting. Briley Elder, Aliyah Shaffer and Sheraton Foster were all on with their jumpers, then Foster and Malia Melton drove into the paint to sink two layups to begin the second quarter, looking to get offensive wind in the Petrels. This seemed to work as Marlie Battle and Rivera worked together, dishing assists to one another and both recording layups. Slowly crawling back with the score at 32-20, the Petrels stayed in the game looking to equalize.
Getting settled, Rivera bounced back in the second half with two quick layups to set the tone for Oglethorpe. With this momentum, the Stormy Petrels went to work. Battle, Foster and Anna Conza all recorded steals in an attempt to keep the Eagles at bay. The momentum swung Oglethorpe's way as a result, giving Conza room to drain a three, shortening the deficit and making the score 52-42. Although they displayed strong offense and adequate defense versus a tough ranked team, the Petrels fell with the final score of 61-69.
Game Notes
- Oglethorpe was cleaner from the free throw line with a 75% completion to the Eagles' 60%.
- Battle led the team in steals tallying five.
- Shaffer had a career high night in points, recording 11 and was 5-5 from the free throw line.
- Conza was perfect from the free throw line (4-4).
Up Next
The Stormy Petrels will break for finals and take a pause on games until they face Pacific University on Monday, Dec. 15, at 6 p.m. during the TownePlace Suites Classic tournament at home.
