Fourth quarter comeback falls short in 71-60 Pride loss to Missouri Valley

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Closing out their home schedule of the 2024 portion of the 24-25 slate, the Clarke University women's basketball team dropped their second-straight game in a 71-60 loss to Missouri Valley College on Tuesday afternoon.

The Vikings were able to use a strong opening 20 minutes where they took a 35-22 lead into halftime to hold on to the 11-point victory despite a push from the Pride, especially in the fourth quarter that saw the margin get cut to as little as seven points at a 58-51 MVC lead with a little over half of the quarter remaining.

Missouri Valley would finish the game outscoring CU 13-9 to maintain a comfortable lead that never got back to closer than that seven-point deficit with the Vikings knocking down all of their final six free throws on their way to finishing 21-of-28 (75%) from the free throw line in the game.

The majority of the scoring came from both starting fives with only five total points of the 131 coming off either bench with MVC's Ricarda Schott leading all scorers with 30 points while adding seven rebounds as Rajone Callahan added 15 points and Ylenia Exposito finishing with a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double.

Zoe Kennedy and Hailey Walters were the only members of the Pride in double figures as Kennedy finished her fifth-straight game scoring over 20 points at a 22-point performance while Walters went 4-of-10 (40%) from three point range on her way to scoring 16 points while adding four steals, three rebounds, and two assists.

This game wrapped up the home and conference schedule as they'll head to Lakeland, Fla. to face Southeastern University this Friday for their final regular season game of 2024 before getting back to regular action at the start of the new year.

Friday's game at Southeastern will tip off at 12:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. CT at The Furnace in Lakeland.