DECATUR, Ill. – Rose-Hulman tipped off the season on a high note as they took down the Millikin Big Blue by a score of 70-61.
Katelyn Fennell made an impact early in the game, as she knocked down a two-point jumper, before adding a three to put Rose-Hulman up 10-6.
Kaia Peterson and
Emma Schipp added a pair of buckets in the paint, before an
Anaya Hawkins mid-range jumper kept Rose-Hulman ahead 18-14.
The Big Blue opened the second quarter with a 6-0 run to jump into the lead. Peterson would end the run by scoring a two-point basket, and
Reagan Lorenzen would later tie the game at 23 with a shot from beyond the arc.
Both teams continued to trade baskets throughout the rest of the quarter, where Millikin would have a one point lead with a minute remaining in the half.
Katelyn Fennell caught fire to close out the period as she knocked down back-to-back threes to put the Fightin' Engineers ahead 37-32 at the half.
Schipp added a pair of layups early in the second half to help extend the lead to nine. Following a Millikin basket,
Emilia Diaz cashed a three pointer, making it a 46-36 game. Fennell continued to shoot lights out as she scored on consecutive three pointers, before adding a pair of free throws to stretch the lead to 15.
Millikin converted a pair of three pointers early in the fourth, and they were able to cut the lead to 62-57 following a 6-0 run. Peterson put an end to the run with a scoop and score layup, and Schipp added a two-pointer to bring the lead back to nine with a minute remaining.
With Millikin forced to foul.
Sophia Reese closed out the game shooting 3-4 at the free throw line, helping Rose-Hulman secure the 70-61 victory.
Katelyn Fennell led all scorers with 23 points, shooting 7-8 from the field, and a perfect 5-5 from three-point range and 4-4 at the free throw line. She added five rebounds, two steals, and one block.
Kaia Peterson finished second on the team with 17 points, shooting 6-10 from the floor and 5-6 at the charity stripe. She added four rebounds, one block, and a team-high four steals.
Emma Schipp finished with 12 points on 6-13 shooting. She hauled in five rebounds while dishing out two assists.
The Fightin' Engineers will stay on the road as they face Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Monday, November 9 at 7 PM.
