– Hannah Belanger scored 25 points while Katie Jaseckas recorded a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds as the Truman women grinded out a 51-46 victory at William Jewell on Saturday for the season sweep of the Cardinals.
The Bulldogs were held to nearly 25 points below their season average in scoring and had their lowest game point total since scoring only 49 points in one of their last trip’s to Liberty in 2018.
Both team’s struggled scoring early with the exceptions of Belanger and Jewell’s leading scorer Kiara Bradley. Truman shot only 27% in the first half with Jewell slightly better at 30% to lead 21-19 at the break. Both Belanger and Bradley led their respective squads with 13 points apiece.
The shots started to fall for Truman in the third as they went on a 9-2 run to take a four-point lead at 28-24.
The Bulldogs had their largest lead of eight at 43-35 with 6:21 left to play but Jewell chipped away while Truman couldn’t find a hoop. Bradley pulled the Cardinals to within one at 45-44 with 1:55 to go but Belanger knocked down free throws on Truman’s next possession to keep the ‘Dogs on top.
Tiffany Davenport got block that forced a shot clock violation on the Cardinals next possession and later Jaseckas would give the Bulldogs breathing room with two more free throws at the 18 second mark.
Bradley added two more late freebies to bring Jewell to within three and following the timeout for advancement, Belanger was able to secure the inbounds pass and scored as time ran out.
Bradley finished with game-high honors with 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting and five of seven from three to lead the Cardinals.
Belanger was 9-of-24 with five triples for her 25 points.
Truman shot 50% in the second half to up their shooting percentage to 37.3% and made only six treys in 23 tries.
Truman will take their 9-2 record and five-game winning streak to McKendree on Thursday night. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.