Beavers Show Fight in Home Contest with Greenville
CARLINVILLE, IL — The Blackburn women’s basketball team battled possession by possession Thursday night but fell to Greenville, 79–64.
CARLINVILLE, IL — The Blackburn women's basketball team battled possession by possession Thursday night but fell to Greenville, 79–64.
Junior Kenadee Frey led the Beavers with 12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals. Junior India Harris and freshman Vickie McGee each added 10 points.
The Beavers opened the game with strong defensive energy. Gaby Solis recorded an early block and steal, while Zoe Mitchell controlled the glass and helped create extra possessions. Becca Benoit got Blackburn on the board with a layup off a Mitchell assist, but Greenville capitalized on second-chance opportunities to build an 18–7 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Blackburn found rhythm in the second quarter behind McGee and freshman Elexus Frey. Frey scored inside to spark momentum, and McGee added a pair of layups before knocking down a three-pointer off a Mitchell assist to cut into the deficit. Kenadee Frey later connected from beyond the arc, and Harris scored back-to-back baskets in the final minute of the half to pull Blackburn within 30–23 at the break.
Out of halftime, Greenville used perimeter shooting to stretch its lead, but the Beavers answered. Gracie Jent drilled a three-pointer off a senior Gaby Solis assist, and Kenadee Frey added free throws while controlling the defensive glass. Abby Borders provided a spark off the bench with a pair of third-quarter three-pointers, and Harris added a mid-range jumper to keep Blackburn within striking distance heading into the fourth.
In the final period, Blackburn continued to compete on both ends. Jent opened with a three-pointer, and Kenadee Frey answered with a triple of her own to keep the momentum alive. Solis attacked the rim for key layups, and Harris contributed in transition and on the boards. Late steals from Harris and Kenadee Frey led to a senior Becca Benoit layup that trimmed the margin to eight midway through the quarter.
Despite forcing turnovers and creating extra opportunities down the stretch, Greenville converted in the paint and at the free-throw line to seal the 79–64 result.
The Beavers will compete one more time at home this Saturday against Maranatha Baptist to close out their season.
