By Sasha Colcheck
Kari Hoffman Wright State W BKB coach HL Tourney QF 3 7 2024 WSU 70 Milwaukee 60 .mp3
DAYTON – For the first time since the 2020-21 season, the Wright State women’s basketball team will be moving onto the Horizon League Championship Semifinals. The No. 4-seeded Wright State secured their spot in Indianapolis by defeating the No. 5-seeded Milwaukee 70-60 on Thursday night in the quarterfinals. The Raiders will continue post-season play at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis, IN at noon on Monday, March 11.
After being down at the half in the neck-and-neck game, Wright State (18-14, 12-9) overpowered Milwaukee (16-16, 10-10), holding the Panthers to just 18.8 percent from the floor in the final ten minutes of the game (3-of-16). The Raiders gained their game-winning lead in the fourth quarter, making a majority of their points off fouls, going 11-of-12 on the line, and shooting 31.3 percent overall. The Raiders were largely led by Layne Ferrell in the final quarter, as she put up ten points in the final quarter.
The Raiders struggled offensively in the first half, shooting 29.4 percent from the floor and sinking just one of their 13 attempts beyond the arc, but were able to hold Milwaukee to only five field goals, keeping the game tied at 11 to the end of the first quarter. The second quarter showed large improvements offensively for Wright State, as they went 6-of-14 overall, and shot 44.4 percent for three. But the Panthers ultimately took the first half 30-28, after shooting 75 percent from the arc and a perfect six-for-six on the line. Wright State’s comeback began in the third, as they put up 21 points to Milwaukee’s 16, taking the lead 49-46 with ten minutes left to play.
Leading the way for Wright State was Alexis Hutchison, recording 23 points on the night. Layne Ferrell and Cara VanKempen also contributed double-digit scoring, recording 17 and 11 points, respectively. Rachel Loobie also saw double-digit stats, putting up 10 rebounds on the night. Also at the top of the Raider rebounders was Ferrell with eight, and Hutchison with seven. Kacee Baumhower led the team with six assists, while Hutchison followed with four and Ferrell with three. Baumhower, Hutchison, Loobie, and Jada Tate each recorded two steals, with Farrell and Loobie putting up blocks, two and three respectively. Hutchison and Ferrell both shot a perfect six-of-six from the line.
The Raiders shot 35.5 percent overall (22-of-62), shooting 26.5 from behind the arc (9-of-34), and 85 percent on the line (17-of-20). Milwaukee ended the night shooting 33.3 percent overall (17-of-51), and went 7-of-17 for three (41.2 percent). The Panthers had a near perfect night shooting free throws, going 19-of-20 on the line (95 percent), with the one blemish coming in the third quarter.
Shooting 55.6 percent on the night for the Panthers was Anna Lutz. Lutz finished the night leading the team with 17 points and three blocks. Kamy Peppler also saw double-digits, putting up 14 points, and led the team alongside Kendall Nead, eaching finishing with five rebounds. Jada Donaldson rounds out the Panther leaders with four assists on the night.
COURTESY WRIGHT STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
