‘Jays give Mid-America a challenge in hard-fought loss

They may not have come out with the win in the end tonight, but it was a step forward all the same for a young, struggling Bluejay women’s basketball team as they fell to Mid-America Christian, 61-53. 

As head coach Shawn Reed said, it was good to be in the ball game. 

In fact, Tabor hung with Mid-America throughout the first half, even tying the game twice early-on. Veteran Tynan Honn put the first points on the board for the Bluejays at 16:34, with newbie Brittany Shaklee putting up their first three-pointer with just under five minutes left. But, despite their efforts, Mid-America drew away in the last couple minutes of the half to put up a 29-21 lead at the break.

Honn and fellow veteran Katlyn Mary teamed up to start chipping away at Mid-America’s lead in the second half, though the latter always came back to a comfortable 10-point lead for most of the second half. But Honn and Mary were not done yet.

They put up a late surge, combining for 15 points in the last eight minutes of the game. Passes from Mary also helped Shaklee and My-Chal Duncan put points on the board in the last three minutes. With just 52 seconds left a basket from Mary drew Tabor within five points, but the clock became the enemy, forcing the Bluejays to foul and allowing Mid-America to extend their lead to their final eight-point margin. 

Unsurprisingly, Honn and Mary led the team with double-digit figures, putting up 16 points and 12 points. But their teammates combined for 22 points, including three-point shots from Shaklee and Tamara Lio.  

The Bluejays were still weak on the shooting end, putting up 30 percent from the field and 16 percent from three point range, but they were only out-rebounded 40-34. But probably the biggest game-changer for Tabor tonight was their 19 turnovers – compared to figures in the mid-30s in their previous two games. 

Tonight’s loss puts Tabor at 0-3 overall.

Coming – Tabor is scheduled to compete in the University of St. Mary Classic this weekend, taking on the College of St. Mary Friday at 1:30 p.m. and Johnson & Wales Saturday at 1 p.m.

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