This past Tuesday night, Jan. 28, Manual’s Lady Crimsons took on the Butler Bearettes in the second round of the Louisville Invitation Tournament. The game resulted in a loss for Manual, where they lost 76-67.
First Half:
The first quarter started out strong, as the Lady Crimsons got the ball following the tip off. London Bibb (#20, 11) passed the ball to Takenzie Young (#1, 9), who attempted a shot, but missed. Brooklyn Davis (#24, 11) then got the rebound, and the Lady Crimsons attempted several shots. A few minutes passed, with neither team being able to score. Butler then called a time-out with five minutes remaining in the quarter.
When play resumed, the Bearettes took possession of the ball, and managed to make the first basket of the night. Shortly after, a Butler player fouled Davis, who then went to the line. She made one of two shots, bringing the score 2-1, with Butler in the lead.
The Bearettes scored again, and then called another time out. Butler went to the line and scored once. The Lady Crimsons fought for possession, but the Bearettes continued to shoot, and their lead increased to 10-3. Electra Lovely-Tolbert (#4, 12) attempted to score, but was unsuccessful. The teams raced down the court for the next couple of minutes, but neither was able to score. In the last few seconds, the Bearettes made a three-point shot to end the quarter with a 13-3 lead.
When the second quarter began, Young was quick to make a basket. However, the Bearettes got the ball and managed to score a three-pointer. This was followed by a two-point shot, bringing the score to 21-5. Young made another basket, and the Bearettes made another three-point shot afterwards. As the result of a foul, Lovely-Tolbert went to the line and made one of two foul shots.
Despite a slow start, the Lady Crimsons gained some momentum. Alicia Mangrum (#13, 9) made a basket. Davis went to the foul line and scored once. Mangrum then scored again, leading Butler to call a time-out. The score was now 26-14.
Davis was then fouled, and went to the line. Both of her shots went in. The Bearettes then made a three-point shot, and Mangrum stole the ball back.
Not long after, the Bearettes scored again. This was followed by a basket from Davis, and then another three-point shot from Butler. However, Davis answered, making a three point shot, ending the first half with Butler in the lead, 34-21.
Second Half:
When the second half of the game commenced, the Lady Crimsons picked up their energy.
Though Butler scored two points and went to the free-throw line shortly after, making both baskets, shots from Davis and Young helped to bring the score closer. Mangrum then made a three-point shot. Butler made a basket of their own, but Lovely-Tolbert was quick to get the rebound and score.
A time-out was called shortly after. The Bearettes then stole the ball and gained two points. They now led Manual 42-30.
Davis scored, and then was fouled. The Bearettes made another basket, and then Young was able to score. Butler scored again, as well. Afterwards, Lovely-Tolbert made a three-point shot, bringing the score to 48-38. Butler immediately scored again, and Manual called a time-out. Mangrum made another three-point shot. Once time finally ran out in the third quarter, the score was 52-41, in favor of Butler.
The final quarter of the game was tight. Both teams battled for the ball, and Butler made the first basket. Despite this, Manual answered with a three-pointer. Manual also called a time-out to try and regroup. Mangrum scored a three-pointer, and then Davis scored following Mangrum’s shot. However, Butler went to the free-throw line and made one of two shots following this.
Not much later, the Bearettes were fouled again. This time, they made both shots. Lovely-Tolbert was fouled and went to the line, making her two shots. Butler was fouled a third time, and scored two more points. Cameron Brooks (#14, 9) then went to the line and made a basket. Young followed with another three-point shot. Mangrum rebounded the ball, and Young scored again. The Lady Crimsons called another time-out. Young and Lovey-Tolbert both made baskets following the break.
The score was now 65-58, with Butler still holding on to their lead. Yet another foul on Manual helped them increase their lead, though. Shortly after, Lovely-Tolbert went to the line and added two more points for the Lady Crimsons.
A few plays later, Young scored twice, but then Butler was fouled again. Lovely-Tolbert made another basket. Then, Davis went to the free-throw line, with Manual calling a time-out. When play resumed, she made both shots. Manual had caught up to Butler, only trailing by a few points now, 72-67. However, Butler was fouled twice more, and the Bearettes won with a final score of 76-67.
