Huge scoring run fuels KWU past Bellevue

SALINA, Kan. -- Kansas Wesleyan University employed a 29-7 run spanning the first and second quarters to overcome an early 11-point deficit and defeat the Bellevue University women's basketball team 77-59 on Monday night.

Kansas Wesleyan remains unbeaten to start the year, improving to 7-0 while the loss drops BU to 5-2.

Offenses struggled to have shots fall in the opening couple of minutes before picking up with Josias Mickens hitting a pull-up jumper from the free throw line with 4:30 to play for an 11-7 Bruin advantage. Jill Stephens hit a three at the other end before BU responded with a 12-2 run featuring threes from Gabby Moore, Danielle Coyer, and Ashtyn Arnold as Bellevue grew the lead to 23-12 with 1:10 to play in the opening quarter. Three free throws from Stephens and a three from Odessa Ozuna saw KWU pull within five, 23-18 after the first quarter.

The Bruins led by as many as eight in the second, 30-22, on a trey from Gabby Moore. However, a 17-0 run from the Coyotes which first put KWU in front 31-30 with 4:06 remaining in the first half and included threes from Stephens and LaMyah Ricks gave the Coyotes a nine-point lead. Kaylee Denker ended a _ minute scoring drought for BU with a jumper in the paint but Angel Lee scored ahead of the buzzer to put KWU up 41-32 at the break.

Stephens led all scorers with 12 at the break while Moore paced BU with 10 in the first half.

Kansas Wesleyan shot a scorching 58% in the third quarter to extended their lead to 21 points heading into the fourth quarter, out-scoring BU 25-13 in the third.

The Coyotes kept Bellevue at arm's length throughout the fourth quarter to secure an 18-points victory.

After going 9-17 from the floor in the first quarter, Bellevue managed to shoot just 31% (15-49) the rest of the way. Despite the turnovers finishing even at 13 apiece, KWU turned that into a 24-12 advantage at the other end.

Moore finished with 11 points to lead Bellevue with Denker joining her in double figures with 10 and adding six boards. Zakiyyah Muhammad added nine and Coyer dropped in a career-high eight. Arnold paced the Bruins with seven rebounds.

Stephens led five Coyotes in double figures with 19 points. Paige Chauncey added 17 and Ricks contributed 12 to go along with eight boards. Hampton Williams and Lee each tossed in 10 with the former adding a game-high nine rebounds.

The Bruins return home on Monday, Dec. 2 when they host No. 17 Briar Cliff University at 6 p.m. from the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center.