Turnovers in the last five minutes hindered Allen Community College’s women’s basketball from holding its lead over Tabor JV Saturday afternoon. The Red Devils lost, 66-56.
“We basically self-destructed at the end,” coach Katie Mahoney said. “We did the same thing as in most games, which was turn the ball over way too much — especially in the last five minutes. That makes it tough to get shots off and have a chance to win.”
The Red Devils started with the lead in the first half, but the game went point-for-point until the Bluejays came back.
Josie Reilly gave Allen a 6-2 lead on an easy lay-up thanks to a stretch pass from Erika Essman. After losing the lead, Kai Jones drove to the hoop for an easy basket to give Allen a 11-10 lead with 10:40 left in the half.
Later, Jones extended the lead with a 3-pointer to give ACC a 16-12 lead. After a couple of baskets made by each team, Emily Azubell stretched the floor for an easy lay-in on a pass by Ashley Washington to give the Red Devils a 20-14 lead with 8:20 left in the half.
Despite the advantage, the Bluejays scored nine straight points to take a 23-20 lead with 6:50 left. Allen’s Essman answered with a 3-pointer to tie it up. Essman hit another 3-pointer to give Allen a 28-26 lead with 1:30 remaining, but the Bluejays were able to get a basket and the teams ended the half tied 28-28.
Both teams kept up the scoring in the second half.
After falling behind, Allen’s Daria Evans hit a running jumper to tie the game at 35-35 with 17:20 left. Later, with the Red Devils trailing again, Evans tied the game, 44-44, with a pretty, reverse one-handed lay-up with 11:10 left to play.
Allen gave up a basket on the defensive end, but Essman hit another 3-pointer to give ACC a 47-46 lead. The Bluejays responded with their own 3-pointer to take back the advantage, 49-47, with 9:05 left.
With 4:00 left, the Bluejays’ Dani Dowell hit a 3-pointer to give Tabor a 57-54 lead. Allen Never led again.
“We shot the ball well,” Mahoney said, “but we gave up too many offensive rebounds and turnovers. That’s what killed us.”
The Red Devils shot 47.7 percent for the game compared to Tabor’s 38.2 percent. But, Allen allowed 19 offensive rebounds to the Bluejays and had 18 turnovers.
That gave Tabor 20 more shot attempts than Allen.
Essman led the Red Devils with 14 points, making 4 of 10 3-point shots. Daria Evans followed with 12 points and had five rebounds. Rachael Bruce was 4-4 from the floor for nine points and she grabbed three rebounds. Ashley Washington led the team with three assists and scored five points.
Allen (1-7) plays on the road Tuesday against Butler.
ACC women lose in final minutes
