Carthage 72, Millikin 54
KENOSHA, Wis. - The Carthage women's basketball team hosted the Millikin Big Blue on Saturday afternoon in Tarble Arena. It was a special day for the Firebirds, as the team celebrated Senior Day and recognized Nora Ahram, Ava Darling, Malia Green, Alyssa Orozco, Jessie Pakaski, and Mallory Winters for their contributions to the program. The Firebirds then made quick work of the Big Blue, pulling away in the second quarter and cruising to the team's fourth straight victory.



Orozco got the Firebirds on the board with a made jump shot on the opening possession. The two squads traded baskets throughout most of the quarter, with the Big Blue leading the Firebirds 10-9 with two minutes to play. A jumper from Winters and a buzzer-beater three from Delaney Elsmore boosted the Firebirds to a 14-10 lead at the end of the quarter. Green led the Firebirds with five points in the quarter.

A layup from Millikin's Nikkel Johnson got the scoring started in the second quarter with an immediate response for the Firebirds with a jumper from Orozco. Another basket for Johnson and a three from Natalie Gartlan gave the Big Blue a 17-16 advantage with 6:48 to play in the first half. A layup from Izzy Hay extended the Big Blue lead to three points, but a three from Elsmore quickly erased the deficit and tied the game at 19-19. Elsmore then drained two more unanswered threes to gie the Firebirds a six point advantage. The Big Blue cut the gap to three points but a three from Orozco and a layup from Elsmore gave the Firebirds a 30-22 lead at the half. Elsmore led the team with 11 points in the second quarter and a total of 14 points in the first half.

The three point shooting success continued for the Firebirds into the third quarter, as Orozco kicked off the scoring for the Firebirds with two three pointers to extend the lead to 14 points. Hay ended the scoring run for the Firebirds with a layup to get the Big Blue on the scoreboard in the third quarter. The Firebirds then found the offensive momentum and went on a 9-1 scoring run, led by four points from Orozco, to take a 44-25 lead with 5:56 to play in the third quarter. The Big Blue tried to make an effort to recover, cutting the deficit to as low as 13 points, but a late surge from the Firebirds ended the quarter with Carthage leading 55-36. 

Johnson and Orozco once again traded baskets to open the fourth quarter, with Orozco scoring 10 consecutive points for the Firebirds. The Big Blue scoring continued to try and claw back into the game but the Firebirds held their distance and came away with an 18 point victory.


 

• Alyssa Orozco - 29 points*^, 10-14 FG*, 5-8 3PT*
• Delaney Elsmore - 21 points^, 3 rebounds, 8-12 FG, 5-8 3PT*
• Malia Green - 11 points, 5 rebounds*, 4 assists*, 4 steals*

*led team in stat category
^career high







The Firebirds (12-9, 6-6 CCIW) return to action on Wednesday, Feb 11 against Illinois Wesleyan University at 7 p.m. in Bloomington, Ill. Carthage women's basketball returns to Tarble Arena on Wednesday, Feb 18 to host North Central College (Ill.) For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.