DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Bellevue University women's basketball team shot a season-low 28.8 percent from the field as Midland University handed the Bruins their first loss of the season, 69-48, Saturday afternoon in the Grand View Classic at Sisam Arena.
Bellevue fell to 4-1 on the season. Midland remained unbeaten at 3-0 overall.
The Bruins managed just one player in double figures with Alexandra Bader leading the way with 10 points, to go along with four assists and two steals. Caletria Curtis finished with eight points, four rebounds and a pair of assists.
Megan Kucks paced the Warriors with 20 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Joelle Overkamp finished with a double-double, registering 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
After Ryleigh McCartney drained a 3-pointer to start the game, giving BU a 3-0 lead, the Warriors went on a seven-point run and never trailed the remainder of the contest. BU trailed 15-9 after the first quarter.
A 3-pointer by Sierra Roberts capped a 10-3 Bruin run pulling BU to within two points at 28-26 with 2:07 left before halftime. MU scored the final four points of the second quarter to take a 32-26 lead at the intermission.
The Warriors maintained the momentum after the break, scoring the first 14 points of the third quarter to take a commanding 20 point (46-26) advantage with 2:14 left in the third. The Bruins did not score in the second half until a Beth Walker field goal at the 1:53 mark made it 46-28. A short jumper by Cassidy Hubbs brought BU to within 16 points at 46-30 at the end of the third quarter.
After Miranda Paul nailed a 3-pointer to start the fourth quarter, a pair of free throws by Bader cut the MU lead to 17 points but that was as close as the Bruins would get the remainder of the contest as the Warriors secured the 69-48 victory.
The two teams will meet again on Dec. 29 in Bellevue.
The Bruins return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 9, when they travel to Omaha to take on College of St. Mary beginning at 6 p.m.
