Box Score
WHITEWATER, Wis. - The Edgewood College women’s basketball team faced a tall order, playing the nation’s top ranked team, UW-Whitewater in their home opener. While the Eagles didn’t win the game, they did find a number of positive signs in their 76-57 loss to the Warhawks.
Edgewood College hung close through the first five minutes, forcing an early 8-8 tie thanks to two buckets by Hannah Schultz, a Janelle Gosh three-pointer and a Megan Scheele free throw. However, the Warhawks then mounted an 11-0 run as the Eagles misfired on their next 10 shots. A Gosh three-point play got the Eagles going again, and the Eagles managed to cut the lead to 29-23 before the Warhawks took a 35-26 advantage into halftime.
The Eagles hung tough in the second half, but the deep Warhawks bench began to take it’s toll. Scheele scored 16 of her game-high 24 points in the second half to keep the Eagles within reach. The Warhawks lead was as large as 24 points before the Eagles scored seven of the final nine points of the game.
Joining Scheele in double figures was Gosh who finished with 12 points including a perfect 3-for-3 from the three-point line. Sophomore Shae Beckwith also cracked double digits with 10 points, including a pair of three-pointers. Five different Eagles, Amber Hemp, Brianna Droessler, Susan Paskey, Schultz and Scheele, each grabbed five rebounds to share team-high honors. Scheele also had a team-best five assists.
Although it wasn’t a victory, the Eagles showed they’ve come a long way in a year. Last season, UW-Whitewater (3-0) handed Edgewood College their worst loss in history 104-62. This year’s result marks a 23-point improvement. The Eagles can also be encouraged by hitting 62.5 percent (5-for-8) from the three-point line after making just 23.1 percent (6-for-26) in their first two games.
Edgewood College (0-3) will come back to the Todd Wehr Edgedome on Saturday for their home opener, against defending NAC champion Concordia University Wisconsin. The Eagles upset the Falcons 72-70 in overtime in the NAC Tournament last season.