KENOSHA, Wis. - Carthage women's basketball fought hard against the 19-4 Big Blue on a Saturday afternoon in Tarble Arena, but Millikin's Elyce Knudsen was sensational - preventing a Firebird upset on Senior Day. Carthage honored four seniors - Destiny Antoine, Bridget Barrett, Jayden Davis, and Ayanna Ester. 



 

• Final score: Millikin 79, Carthage 70. 
• Location: Tarble Arena - Kenosha, Wisconsin. 
• Records: Carthage 9-14 (5-9 CCIW), Millikin 19-4 (13-1 CCIW)

 

• The Firebirds started off the first quarter with strong defense, leading against Millikin 13-10 at the 6:33 mark. 
• Senior Ayanna Ester drilled a three-pointer with 1:57 left in the first quarter to further the Firebirds lead to 21-17. Carthage ended the first quarter with a 21-19 lead. 
• Millikin came out strong to start the second quarter, gaining a seven-point lead with 5:27 remaining in the first half. 
• After a 6-0 run, Marianna Morrissey helped reduce Millikin's lead with a jumper - bringing the score to 32-31 in favor of the Big Blue. 
• Two free throws from Morrissey brought the Firebirds to within one, trailing 39-38 at the end of the first half. 
• Bridget Barrett converted on an early second-half layup to put the Firebirds out in front 45-44. 
• Millikin continued strong play defensively against Carthage, keeping them within a three-point margin - trailing 58-55. 
• After Millikin gained a seven-point lead, Lauren Knight scored on a layup and two free throws to alleviate the gap and make the score 71-67 with 2:24 left in the game. 
• With 00:15 left, senior Jayden Davis entered the game and drilled a three from the left corner - much to the delight of the fans in Tarble Arena. 
• The Firebirds were unsuccessful in erasing Millikin's lead, falling 79-70. 

 

• Junior guard Lauren Knight rebounded from a difficult game in Naperville, scoring 23 points on 8-14 shooting. Knight also recorded four rebounds, four assists, and a steal. 
• Marianna Morrissey followed up an excellent performance against North Central with another solid effort. The sophomore wing scored 14 on 5-9 shooting, missing out on a double-double by a single rebound. Morrissey also dished out three assists, stole a pass, and blocked a shot. 
• Alyssa Orozco gathered six rebounds in ten minutes of action, as did Elena Knebel, who did so in 13 minutes. In a little under 14 minutes on the floor, Knebel was a +8 while Orozco was a +1 in 11 minutes. 
• As a late-game substitution, Jayden Davis drilled a three-pointer. 

 

• Carthage will play its final home game of the season this Wednesday, February 15 at 7 p.m. against North Park University. In association with the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), all fans are encouraged to wear pink to raise awareness for breast cancer; each year, the WBCA raises funds for breast cancer awareness and dedicates those funds to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund - in partnership with Dick Vitale's V Foundation.