Council Bluffs, IA - The Iowa Western women's basketball team showcased one of their best defensive games of the season, but the stops were not enough as the Reivers fell to the Greyhounds 70-62 on Saturday night inside Reiver Arena.
Despite a slow start, the Reivers entered halftime trailing by only three. The Reivers relied heavily on their defense to slow the Greyhounds. The Reivers held the Greyhounds to just 70 points, 10 below their season average, and 35.7% shooting, well below their season average. Post defense was also critical for the Reivers as Ladun Akako and Solape Amusan did the work in the paint. The duo was assigned to guard Moberly's DeAnna Wilson, the team's leading scorer. Wilson, who averages just shy of 17 points per game, was held to only 11 points against the Reivers. Despite the strong defensive effort, the Reivers hit shooting woes throughout the game, specifically in the 4th quarter, shooting just 1-7 from beyond the arc. The Reivers were also outrebounded 45-32.
Jaiden Morris led the Reivers with 22 points, two steals, a block, and seven rebounds. Amusan also stepped up for the Reivers, scoring 18, grabbing five boards, and had a season-high seven blocks. Akako led all players with eight boards, and while point guard Sommer Blakemore dished out four assists.
The Reivers did receive good news, winning a coin flip with Northeast CC for the right to host the Region XI Championship game on February 29th. Tip-off time is set for 5:00 PM inside Reiver Arena versus the Hawks or Marshalltown, Northeast will host the Tigers on February 26th in the league's 2-3 match-up.
The Reivers are now 15-10 on the season and will host Concordia JV on Tuesday, February 11, 2020. That tip-off is set for 6:00 PM and can be watched online at www.GoReivers.com.
