Bruins battle with DII Emporia State, fall 66-57

EMPORIA, Kan. -- The Bellevue University women's basketball team had six players score at least eight points as the Bruins fell, 66-57, to NCAA Division II Emporia State University Saturday night in an exhibition contest at White Auditorium. 

Freshman Kaylee Denker led the Bruins with 12 points and four rebounds. Ashtyn Arnold registered 10 points, four assists, and three boards. Gabby Moore, Shelby Little, and Zakiyyah Muhammad each scored nine points. Little added a team-high seven rebounds. Brandi Dunn finished with eight points, four steals, and four boards. 

Queen Ulabo led the Hornets, recording a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Faith Paramore added 13 points and seven boards for ESU. 

The Bruins scored the first five points of the contest before settling for a 15-all tie after the opening 10 minutes of play. 

After a jumper by Arnold gave BU a 24-21 advantage midway through the second frame, ESU held the Bruins scoreless for the final 4:42 of the half, as the Hornets used an 11-0 run to take a 32-24 lead into the intermission. 

The Bruins got as close as seven points in the third quarter after Muhammad made 1-of-2 free throws to make it 45-38 with 1:30 remaining in the frame. After a pair of free throws by Ulabo gave ESU a 49-38 lead, Arnold scored the final three points of the quarter to pull BU to within eight at 49-41 heading into the final stanza. 

ESU used a 9-3 spurt to grab a 62-49 edge, capped by a 3-pointer by Allie Ostermann with five minutes remaining. The Bruins got as close as eight points after Dunn nailed a pair of free throws to make it 63-55 at the 1:43 mark. The Hornets made three free throws in the final minute to seal the 66-57 victory.  

The Bruins return to action on Tuesday, Nov. 28, when they travel to Lincoln, Neb., to battle Nebraska Wesleyan University at 7:30 p.m. in Snyder Arena.