Graceland Women’s Basketball Falls in Tight Contest to Clarke, 55–52
LAMONI, Iowa — Graceland University's women's basketball team came up just short on Wednesday evening, dropping a 55–52 contest to Clarke University in Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) play at the Morden Center. Despite a strong start and a late push in the fourth quarter, the Yellowjackets were unable to regain the lead in the final minute, slipping to 1–9 overall and 0–4 in conference play, while Clarke improved to 4–5 overall and 1–3 in the HAAC.
Graceland opened the game with its best offensive quarter of the season, shooting 53.3% from the field and building an early 22–13 advantage behind Bryanna Griffiths' five points off the bench and Kayla Smolley's three-pointer. However, the Jackets were held to just eight second-quarter points, and Clarke responded with a 16–8 frame to take a slim 29–30 deficit into the half.
The third quarter proved to be a defensive battle, with both teams combining for 18 points. Clarke took the lead on a bucket from Zoe Kennedy and maintained a slim advantage despite Graceland's defensive pressure, which forced 21 total turnovers in the game.
Graceland continued to chip away in the fourth quarter. Nateonia Russell, who led the Jackets with 14 points, eight rebounds, and six steals, converted a pair of layups to pull the Jackets within three. A clutch three-point basket from Ianara Morbidoni with 1:45 remaining cut Clarke's lead to two, but a subsequent triple from Kennedy with 1:16 on the clock extended the Clarke advantage to five.
Angelique Taylor hit a free throw with 49 seconds left to bring the Yellowjackets within four. After a series of defensive stops, Russell hit one of two free throws with 25 seconds to narrow the gap to 55–52. Graceland forced a turnover on the ensuing possession and had a chance to tie, but Morbidoni's game-tying three-point attempt at the buzzer missed short, sealing the victory for the Pride.
"We continue to compete, and we're putting ourselves in positions to win," head coach Willie Scott said postgame. "Tonight was about execution in critical moments, and we came up just a possession or two short. We're growing. These are the kinds of games that prepare us for conference play in January."
In addition to Russell's strong performance, Oliviya Tinoco added six points and five rebounds, while Morbidoni contributed five points, nine boards, and two free throws on a technical foul in the second quarter. Graceland won the rebounding battle 41–36 and posted 12 team steals, but was hampered by 23 turnovers and a 30.0% shooting mark from the field.
Clarke was led by Zoe Kennedy's 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including 4-for-5 from beyond the arc. The Pride shot 33.3% from the floor and made six three-pointers to Graceland's six, though at a higher percentage.
The loss marks the sixth straight defeat for the Yellowjackets, though four of those have come by 12 points or less. Graceland remains focused on building momentum in its last three games before heading into the Christmas break.
Up next, the Yellowjackets will return to action on Saturday, December 6, when they host Missouri Baptist at 12:00 p.m. CST inside the Morden Center in Lamoni, Iowa.
For more information on Graceland women's basketball and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.