After grabbing their first win of the season on Saturday, the Saluki Women’s Basketball team (1-5) earned a spot in the Christmas City Classic Championship game against Kent State (4-2). The Dawgs fought hard in a comeback attempt, but fell just short in a 66-72 final.

The Salukis had three players hit double digits in points, compared to their five from yesterday. Sophomore Tyranny Brown led with 15 points, junior Promise Taylor came up just behind her with 14, and graduate student Ashley Jones added 12 of her own. Laniah Randle as well as Taylor shared the lead in rebounds with seven coming from the duo.

Kent State earned the first bucket of the game off a three pointer and never let up the lead from there, although the Dawgs kept things close throughout the first quarter, only down by one by the end of the frame at 11-12. The second remained just as close to start, but a 9-2 run for the Flames helped them pull away before the half with a nine point lead at 29-20. After a buzzer beater for Kent State, the Dawgs went into the locker room down 32-25.

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The Golden Flames really started to pull away in the third quarter. After a layup by Taylor, Kent State went on a 17-2 run heading into the fourth quarter to grab their largest lead of the night of 20 points at 49-29. The fourth opened with a 9-2 run for the Dawgs to get them back within seven points quickly, but it was too little too late as the Dawgs went down 72-66 the final.

The Salukis will now look for some home magic when they face Chicago State (0-7) back in the Banterra center this upcoming Thursday with a 6 pm first tip.

Sports editor Joseph Bernard can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Jojobernard2001. 

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