Sunflower State News

The #16 Lady Warrior's comeback ran out of time as Sterling (10-4) fought back from a 17 point deficit with 2:25 left to play only to lose by 6 to #25 Mid America Christian University, 83-77. Karsen Schultz and Kali Briar scored the last 14 points for the Warriors in their comeback. They also led the way for Sterling with 19 and 17 points respectively.

Sterling never led in the game as MACU started the game with a 3 on their first possession. Sterling came back with a quick answer, but from then on, the Evangels built their lead for the rest of the quarter. Sterling had their runs, trailing by as many as 9 in the first quarter and cutting the lead to as few as 3. The Evangels, however, were scoring at a torrid pace in the first quarter, tallying 29 points in the opening quarter. Sterling did their best to keep up scoring 22 in the first frame. MACU shot an incredible 59% from the field in the opening quarter compared to just 35% for the Warriors.

Schultz heated up in the second quarter scoring 8 of her team-high 19 in the frame. The scoring pace slowed for both teams and the percentages almost flipped for the two teams. Sterling boosted their shooting percentage in the frame to 47% and the Evangels dropped to just 38% from the field. Sterling was not able to hit from long range, however, keeping them from going on the big run. At the break, Sterling was down just 5 after Schultz hit a free throw just before time expired. Sterling trailed 45-40 heading into halftime.

Six different Warriors found the basket in the 3rd quarter, but it was not enough to keep pace with the Evangels in the quarter. MACU became much more efficient with their scoring opportunities once again and built their first double digit lead of the game, at one point leading by 15 in the quarter. Sterling was outscored 22-16 in the quarter and was down 11 points heading into the final quarter of play.

The Lady Warriors showed their grit and never quit in the 4th quarter as they faced their biggest deficit and almost completed a great comeback. With just under 5 minutes to play in the game, Sterling found themselves down 18 points. Scoring just one basket by Faith Martin over the next two minutes, Sterling found themselves down 17 with just 2:25 left to play in the game. That is when the run by Briar and Schultz began. Briar hit back-to-back 3's and Schultz followed suit with one of her own, cutting the lead to just 8 with over a minute left to play. MACU hit a free throw and Briar answered with another 3. The lead was 6 with 1:07 left in regulation. The Evangels got one more basket and Schultz hit one more jumper before the scoring ceased the rest of the game. Sterling had the momentum and just ran out of time on their comeback run. Sterling outscored the Evangels 21-16 in the quarter but fell to MACU 83-77.

Sterling had four players scoring in double figures. Karsen Schultz led the scoring for Sterling with 19 points followed by Kali Briar with 17, Bailey Albright with 14, and Taya Wilson with 12. Wilson led Warrior rebounding with 8. Albright and Wilson both added 5 assists apiece.

Both the Warriors and Evangels had 20 turnovers in the game. Sterling came away with 11 steals compared to 9 by MACU. The Evangels barely edged the Warriors in rebounding by the slimmest of margins, 43-42.

Sterling will turn their sights back to the KCAC Championship as they start the new year. On Wednesday, January 4, at 6 pm the Warriors take on Avila University in Sterling. Sterling currently sits atop the KCAC standings and will look to hold that position the rest of the way.

Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors' live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.

Original source can be found here.