The first quarter proved to be the difference for the Valpo women's basketball team on Sunday, as despite getting as close as six points in the second half, the Beacons were unable to overcome a 13-point deficit after the opening period as they fell 67-53 at Belmont.
 
How It Happened

• After the teams traded baskets over the first two minutes of the game, the Bruins went on a 14-0 run over the next five minutes to pull out to an 18-4 lead.
• Belmont's lead remained in double figures for the remainder of the opening period and was 25-12 at the end of the quarter.
• The second quarter was played entirely within a six-point spread. Belmont got its lead up to as many as 17 points, while the Beacons moved as close as they got in the quarter heading into halftime as a layup from Lexi Castator (Fort Wayne, Ind./Northrop) got Valpo within 38-26 at intermission.
• Belmont pushed its edge to 16 points early in the third quarter before the Beacons responded with a 9-0 run to move within single digits. Nevaeh Jackson (Fort Wayne, Ind./Northrop) started the run with a putback basket, Leah Earnest (Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) hit a 3-pointer and a layup on consecutive possessions and when Layla Gold (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) connected on a pair of free throws with 5:33 to play in the third period, Valpo was within 42-35.
• The Bruins stretched back out to a 12-point lead a couple minutes later, but a fast-break layup from Jackson and a 3-pointer from Katie Beyer (McHenry, Ill./McHenry) again cut the deficit to seven with 90 seconds to play in the quarter.
• Earnest beat the third-quarter buzzer with a drive and finish to bring Valpo within 51-43 with 10 minutes to play.
• Gold converted a driving layup on the Beacons' second possession of the fourth quarter to make it a two-possession game.
• Valpo limited Belmont to just two baskets over the first six-plus minutes of the final period, but was unable to make any more headway as the Beacons had just Gold's field goal over the same stretch. The difference came at the free throw line, where the Bruins took their opportunities to go on a 9-2 run after Gold's basket to extend their lead back to double digits for good.

 
Inside the Game

• Sunday's game concluded a stretch of four road games in 11 days for the Beacons, all of which came against top-100 NET teams. Belmont entered Sunday's contest ranked #57 in the NET.
• After shooting season worsts from the field and 3-point range at Murray State last time out, the Beacons had their second-worst marks in both departments Sunday, hitting just 33.3% (19-of-57) from the field and 17.9% (5-of-28) from 3-point range.
• Valpo did limit Belmont to 42.3% shooting from the floor and 24% from 3-point range on the defensive end.
• The Beacons were a +7 in turnover margin on Sunday, committing just 12 miscues — matching their season low against a D-I opponent — while forcing 19 Belmont turnovers. Valpo outscored the Bruins 21-12 in points off turnovers.
• Valpo also held a 10-7 edge in second-chance points over the Bruins.
• Earnest paced Valpo with 15 points on Sunday and added five rebounds as well. She connected on four field goals, moving her into a tie for fifth place in program history with 493 career field goals made.
• Beyer came off the bench with 10 points — her fifth double-figure scoring effort of the year — and a team-high seven rebounds — setting a career high.

 
Next Up
Valpo (5-11, 1-4 MVC) returns home to the ARC Friday evening for a 6 p.m. game against Illinois State. Tickets are available at https://tickets.valpoathletics.com/event/valpo-womens-basketball-vs-illinois-state-fcqu06.