[Women's Basketball] Second Quarter Drought Downs Women's Basketball

Doane Women's Basketball dropped a 71-63 decision to Simpson (Calif.) on Saturday morning as part of the Cattle Classsic hosted by Concordia in Seward, Nebraska. The Tigers dropped to 0-3 on the season.

The Tigers led 10-6 with 2:39 to play in the opening quarter following a 3-point basket by Tayla Nulty (JR/Ballarat, Australia). The Red Hawks closed out the quarter with an 8-0 run to take a 14-10 lead after 10 minutes.

The 2nd quarter opened with a Doane basket from Halle Konz (FR/Genoa, Neb.) to pull the Tigers within two points. Doane was held scoreless over the next six minutes of play as Simpson went on a 13-0 run to take a 15-point lead. The Tigers trailed at halftime, 35-21.

In the 3rd quarter, the Tigers opened with the first five points. The Red Hawks quickly pushed the lead back into double-figures and took their largest lead of the quarter, 53-31 with five minutes to play in the quarter. Doane committed five turnovers in the stretch.

Doane pulled within 16 points, 57-41, by the opening minute of the 4th quarter. Simpson followed with an 8-0 run to take their largest lead of the game, 24 points.Over the final five minutes, the Tigers closed strong as they heated up behind the arc. Nulty hit four 3-point baskets in the final minutes and the Tigers pulled within seven points, 70-63, with 23 seconds left in the game. Simpson made a free throw to close the scoring for an eight-point win.

Nulty led the Tigers with 22 points, hitting five 3-point baskets. She was named to the Cattle Classic All-Tournament team for her efforts over the weekend. Bailey Zarbynicky added five 3-point baskets for 15 points and added a team-high five assists and three steals. McKenzie Beach (SR/Lincoln, Neb.) matched Zarbynicky with five assists. Haylee Heits (JR/Rulo, Neb.) posted a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Simpson received 14 points from Samarra Fernandez and a double-double by Alli Ramelli as she posted 13 points and 11 rebounds.

The Red Hawks out-rebounded the Tigers, 44-35, pulling in 19 offensive rebounds which gave Simpson a 27-2 second chance points advantage. Doane shot 41-percent for the game while Simpson shot 39-percent.