by Johnson & Wales hosted Haskell Indian Nations University on Friday night in a matchup of the two A.I.I. schools. Haskell entered the game with a season opening 7-0 win streak and victories over three top 25 opponents.
HINU began the game on a 10-1 run as the ‘Cats struggled to hit their shots early. Haskell continued to maintain their tempo in the first quarter, leading JWU 14-6 with 3:29 left. The Wildcats started to ease their way back in but the Indians led 26-11 after the first quarter.
JWU’s offense looked more sure of themselves as the quarter progressed, hitting their shots and cutting the HINU lead down to three points at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Wildcats began the period with three straight three pointers, capped off by a shot from beyond the arc by Weber to tie the game 43-43. The ‘Cats offense continued to push the tempo of the game as they took a 55-49 lead into the fourth.
HINU cut the ‘Cats lead down to two points less then a minute into the quarter. Haskell battled back to tie the game 58-58. HINU regained the lead but Weber hit a three to retake the lead for JWU. The Wildcats wouldn’t look back as they held off the late attempts by HINU to take the 78-68 come from behind win and go 2-0 in conference play.
Weber led all scorers with 29 points and Chantal Thomas (Mackay, Australia) had a team high nine rebounds. Cerissa Honena-Reyes and 16 points and Kortney Meat brought down 12 boards.
Haskell women now move to (7-1) on the season.
