HESSTON, Kan. — Hesston College women’s basketball battled on the road Saturday afternoon but fell 58–46 to Kansas Christian College at Cowen Municipal Auditorium. Despite a strong rebounding effort and a late fourth-quarter push, the Larks struggled to convert offensively, shooting 26.7 percent from the field.
Akiva Brown powered Hesston with a double-double, finishing with 15 points and 15 rebounds while adding two blocks. Mia Brown provided an efficient spark with 8 points and 5 rebounds, and Brooke Bettis added 7 points. Mariah Hall also posted a solid line with 6 points and 10 boards. Hesston dominated the glass with a 57–51 rebounding advantage, including 21 offensive rebounds, but was unable to capitalize consistently on second-chance opportunities.
The Larks started well, taking an early 2–0 lead on a jumper from Brown off a feed from Hall. Kansas Christian responded with a 6–0 run, highlighted by a transition three from Brittany Cato, and extended the lead to 17–11 by the end of the first quarter. Hesston’s defensive activity kept them within striking distance, forcing turnovers and generating fast-break looks, including a mid-range jumper from Sarah Beltran to trim the deficit to 7–5 early on.
Offense was hard to come by in the second quarter as both teams traded empty possessions. Hesston managed just four points in the period while the Falcons added seven, sending the Larks to halftime trailing 24–17.
Kansas Christian used an early fourth-quarter surge to stretch its lead to 16, but the Larks fought back behind Brown’s scoring in the paint and Bettis’ late jumper. Hesston continued to generate chances around the rim in the final period , yet Kansas Christian maintained control behind 21 points from Hayley Diveley and timely three-pointers from Cato, who finished with 13.
The Larks will be back at home this week to host Cottey College on Dec. 12 and Park University on Dec. 13.
