Wildcats Drop Matchup at (RV) Grand View, 68-50 to Close Out Road Stretch

DES MOINES, Iowa - After coming away with a road win their last time out, the Baker women's basketball team dropped its conference matchup in Des Moines, Iowa, falling to (RV) Grand View by a score of 68-50 on Saturday afternoon.

BU led by three after the first quarter before the GVU offense kicked on the jets and scored 60 points over the next three quarters to claim the double-digit victory. The two teams shot about the same with Baker shooting 38.8 percent from the field while the Vikings shot 37 percent.

Rihanna Blanchard led a balanced scoring night for BU with a team-high 13 points and pulling down eight rebounds. Sophia Barrett followed right behind her with 12 points, while Destiny Kiner and Taniya Tease continued the trend with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The Wildcats took the early advantage and held the Vikings to score only eight points in the first quarter. Meanwhile, Blanchard led the charge for BU, knocking down a three and then following it with a driving layup on the next possession. Hallie Smires converted both of her free throws as Baker took an 11-8 lead at the end of the opening period.

The Vikings found their stride quickly into the second quarter and outscored BU, 20-5 in the frame to take a double-digit lead at the half. Blanchard finished with eight points in the first half, scoring a bucket and a free throw in the second quarter.

In the second half, Grand View continued to stretch its lead out and boasted a 19-point advantage by the end of the third quarter.

Tease buried a set of threes and Kiner followed with a trey of her own to keep BU in pace with the hot-shooting Vikings. Barrett scored back-to-back layups, including one off of a steal as the Wildcats trailed, 52-33 going into the final 10 minutes.

Barrett was able to get the rim early in the fourth quarter as well as Baker continued to battle to the very end. Blanchard swished another triple and layups from Kiner and Barrett cut the Wildcats' deficit to 62-50 with two minutes left to play.

That would be as close as BU would get though as the Vikings held on to earn their sixth straight win.

After playing four consecutive games away from home, Baker will make its return to the Collins Center with a matchup against Central Methodist on Wednesday, February 5 at 5:30 p.m. in Baldwin City.

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