MADISON, Wisc- An impressive second half comeback fell short at Wisconsin, as the Mavericks lost 67-65 in Madison. Omaha overcame a 13 point halftime deficit but were unable to get off a potential game-winner at the buzzer.
Trailing 36-23 at intermission, the Mavericks (1-4, 0-0 Summit League) outscored the Badgers (5-1, 0-0 Big Ten) 42-31 in the final 20:00 minutes. Omaha's in-bound play with :04.1 to play couldn't produce a shot before time expired.
Senior Jah Harvey led the Mavericks with 14 points, as nine players joined in the scoring for Omaha. Fifth year Maverick
Katie Keitges scored 9 points on 3-3 three point shooting. She is the fourth player in Omaha's DI Era to make 100 career threes. Sophomore
Cora Olsen added 9 pts., senior
Aaliyah Moore added 7 with 5 rebounds and two steals and senior
Grace Cave had 7 pts, 5 assists and 5 steals.
Playing in front of her friends and family from nearby Racine,
Morgann Gardner had 8 pts, 4 reb. and a big three pointer in the second half. In fact, more than 30 friends and family made the trip to cheer on the Mavericks behind the team's bench.
The Mavericks twice cut the lead to one in the closing moments. The first came when Keitges' three at 1:35 narrowed the margin to 64-63, assisted by Cave. Keitges then returned the favor, her assist leading to Cave's layup at 1:04 to make the score 66-65.
The Mavericks shot 57% in the second half (16-28), including six three point field goals. They shot 43% from the field for the game, and 44% from behind the arc (25-58, 8-18).
Omaha's trapping defense paid off in the second half, and they finished the game besting Wisconsin in points off turnovers (15-7) and fast break points (10-2). The Badgers turned the ball over 19 times (13 for Omaha), while the Mavericks came up with 11 steals.
Wisconsin had three players in double figures, led by All-Big Ten performer Serah Williams (20 points, 14 rebounds). Natalie Leuzinger added 16 and Tess Myers 15 on 6-6 three point shooting.
The two point loss marks the closest game against a Big Ten opponent in Omaha's DI Era (2011-present).
Wisconsin was the third Power Five school on their non-conference schedule this season (Nebraska, Kansas, Wisconsin, Oklahoma), the last coming December 22 at Norman, Oklahoma.
The Mavericks return home to Baxter Arena Tuesday, November 26 at 7:00 p.m. CT to host Utah Valley State.
Tickets are available for all Mavericks home games at OMavs.com/tix.
