Paul Quinn Edges Out Our Lady of the Lake in Nail-Biter
January 4, 2025, Dallas, TX – In a thrilling matchup at the Health and Wellness Center, Paul Quinn College (7-8, 6-6) held on for a narrow 73-69 victory against Our Lady of the Lake (6-9, 4-8). The Tigers’ balanced offensive contributions and dominance in the paint proved to be the difference in this hard-fought game.
Game Recap
The contest was tightly contested from start to finish, with both teams battling for control. Our Lady of the Lake took an early 16-14 lead in the first quarter, but Paul Quinn answered back in the second, edging ahead by one point at halftime (29-30).
The third quarter saw Paul Quinn extend their lead with a 19-point effort, bolstered by their control of the offensive boards. In the fourth quarter, Our Lady of the Lake mounted a spirited comeback, but the Tigers managed to hold their ground, largely thanks to clutch free-throw shooting and critical defensive stops.
Key Performers
Paul Quinn College
- Zaire Brown: Dominated inside with a game-high 26 points, 14 rebounds, and 8-of-10 shooting from the free-throw line.
- Canai McPherson: Showcased her scoring ability with 22 points, including a perfect 10-of-10 from the charity stripe, and added 4 rebounds and 3 steals.
- Cierra Taylor: Contributed across the board with 7 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds despite a challenging shooting night.
Paul Quinn's ability to attack the paint (40 points in the paint) and capitalize on second-chance opportunities (12 points) was pivotal in their victory.
Our Lady of the Lake
- Carlea Owens: Was a force on both ends, finishing with a double-double of 23 points and 12 rebounds. Her 7-of-10 shooting from the free-throw line and 2 blocks highlighted her versatile performance.
- Julia Plata: Led the Saints' perimeter attack with 17 points, including 5-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc.
- Isabella Jaramillo: Made a significant impact off the bench, scoring 14 points on an efficient 4-of-5 shooting while adding 5 assists.
Despite a strong bench effort (24 points) and solid shooting from three (40.0%), the Saints struggled to contain Paul Quinn's interior dominance.
Team Statistics
Shooting
- Paul Quinn: 34.7% FG, 5.9% 3PT, 75.9% FT
- Our Lady of the Lake: 42.1% FG, 40.0% 3PT, 72.2% FT
Rebounds
- Paul Quinn: 45 (20 offensive)
- Our Lady of the Lake: 41 (10 offensive)
Turnovers
- Paul Quinn: 18 (resulting in 15 opponent points)
- Our Lady of the Lake: 26 (resulting in 22 opponent points)
Takeaways
Paul Quinn's resilience in crunch time was key to their victory, particularly their ability to generate second-chance points and pressure the Saints into turnovers. Head Coach [Name] praised the team's composure, especially from leaders like Brown and McPherson.
For Our Lady of the Lake, the loss highlighted their inability to protect the ball and their struggles against Paul Quinn's aggressive rebounding. However, strong performances from Owens and Plata showed promise for future games.
Looking Ahead
Paul Quinn will build on this victory as they aim to climb the conference standings. Their next game will focus on improving perimeter shooting (1-of-17 from three) and reducing turnovers.
Our Lady of the Lake will aim to bounce back and find consistency on both ends of the court as they continue their season.
Both teams displayed heart and determination, making this a game to remember for fans and players alike.