Saturday, March 22, 2025
The Beloit Lady Trojans lost to the Phillipsburg Lady Panthers, 54-43, Thursday, February 6, after allowing 17 points in the third quarter.
With the loss, Beloit fell to 8-7. On Tuesday, February 11, the Lady Trojans were scheduled to host the Southeast of Saline Lady Trojans, who were 12-4 overall and 7-1 in the NCAA.
On Thursday, Brynn Billings made a shot to give Phillipsburg an early 2-0 lead. Senior Olivia Wright's putback evened the score. In the middle of the first quarter, Kayla Jacobs made a three-pointer to give the hosts an 8-4 edge.
Beloit responded with the next four points to tie it late in the first. After the teams alternated scores, Jacobs closed the quarter with a bucket. Phillipsburg led, 12-10, going to the second quarter.
Senior Olivia Wright's basket early in the second evened the score. Phillipsburg's 9-2 spurt put it ahead, 21-14. Cheney and freshman Landry Litton each made a bucket as the teams split the next eight points.
Wright hit a trey to close the first half. Phillipsburg led, 25-21, at intermission.
Beloit, which was missing senior Addison Budke, who was sick, and junior Autumn Lorenz, who was injured, allowed 17 points in the third while scoring just 10.
The hosts led, 42-31, headed to the final frame. After a free throw extended the lead, senior Cassandra Thompson's basket narrowed it to 43-33.
After the hosts pushed the lead to 11 later in the fourth, two Litton baskets cut the edge to 48-41.
"We methodically got back in the game," said Beloit Head Coach Keith Kresin.
However, Beloit was unable to continue the comeback, as Phillipsburg scored six of the final eight points to win by 11.
Cassandra Thompson led the Lady Trojans' three double digit scorers with 14 points, while Wright and Cheney added 13 and 10, respectively.
Jacobs and Billings led Phillipsburg with 18 and 16 points, respectively.
"We had fight at the end," said Coach Kresin. "I'm so proud of these young ladies."
He said his team will be a team to be reckoned with in the postseason, which starts the end of February.
"The teams beating us are talented teams," Kresin said. "These tough teams are making us better."
Cassandra Thompson led Beloit in scoring with 14 points followed by Olivia Wright with 13 and Regan Cheney 10. Landry Litton scored 6 points.
