Lady Coyotes snap four game drought with 58-42 win over Saint Mary
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

Kansas Wesleyan put together a great second half, as the Lady Coyotes took a two point lead at the half, and turned into a 16-point, 58-42 win over Saint Mary on Thursday night at Muir Gym.

The win snaps a four game losing streak for the Lady Coyotes, and pulls them out of the KCAC cellar.

More history was made tonight for Ascendra Peters, the Lady Coyotes’ three-time All-KCAC player, as she etched her name as Wesleyan’s all-time free throw leader. Her first free throw of the night at the 16:35 mark was the 286th of her career, moving her past Jill Rietzke. Peter’s finished the night 4-of-6 at the line, giving her 289 career free throws.

Peters gave the Coyotes a 2-0 lead to start the game, and Jenn Lee, who took over for Sarah Montoya in the starting line-up put Wesleyan up 4-0 with 18:52 left in the first half. Saint Mary would get back within one on a three-point play by Janae Garcia, and would stay close with the Coyotes, eventually taking their first lead at the 14:24 mark on a three by Liz Gillespie.

Peters would give KWU the lead back at the 13:02 mark, and the Lady Coyotes would hold onto the lead until Saint Mary would go on a 8-0 run to take a 20-15 lead with 3:39 left. The Coyotes would end the first half with a 7-0 run of their own to take a 22-20 lead into the break.

Garcia would tie things up at 22 to start the second half for Saint Mary, but Wesleyan would use a bucket by Jentri Dixon and a pair of Peters free throws to take a four point lead at 26-22 with 18:45 left.

Ashley Packham would knock down a three to get Saint Mary within one at 26-25, but a 14-3 Wesleyan run would put the Coyotes ahead comfortably at 40-28 with 11:38 left on a bucket by Dixon.

Saint Mary (4-14, 1-7) cut the lead to nine one last time on a three point play by Dara Shea, but the Lady Coyotes would use another 18-5 run to take their biggest lead at 58-36 with 2:01 left.

The Spires would finish the game on a 6-0 run as Wesleyan (6-13, 2-7) came away with the 58-42 win.

Peters led all scorers with 20 points, while Charressa Gray would add 13 for the Lady Coyotes who shot 40 percent from the field on 20-of-50 shooting. After shooting a dismal 26.9 percent in the first half, the Lady Coyotes put together a 54.2 percent effort in the second half. Gray and Kaylaen Dittmer would lead KWU with eight rebounds apiece, as the Lady Coyotes won the battle of the boards 40-30.

Gillespie led Saint Mary with seven points, while Tricia Dunham and Garcia added six each as the Spires were 13-of-44 from the field for 29.5 percent. Gillespie also led the Spires with seven rebounds.

The Lady Coyotes close out their three game homestand on Saturday as they host Ottawa, before heading back on the road at Southwestern on next Thursday.

-- KWU SI --