HESSTON, Kan. — The Hesston College women’s basketball team put together a strong opening quarter but couldn’t sustain the momentum in a 64–50 loss to Oklahoma Panhandle State University on Tuesday evening at Yost Center.
Hesston matched OPSU point-for-point early, taking a brief 4-2 lead behind a jumper from Keira Pineda. The Larks continued to compete through the first quarter, closing the period tied 16–16 after contributions from Anna McIntire inside and a three from Sarah Beltran. However, a scoring drought in the second quarter proved costly, as OPSU outscored Hesston 18–7 to take a 34–23 lead into halftime.
The Larks continued to battle in the second half, with Pineda knocking down a pair of threes and Brooke Bettis adding baskets from the perimeter. Beltran provided a lift off the bench with two triples of her own, and Mariah Hall attacked the paint to earn trips to the free-throw line. Hesston outscored OPSU 15–13 in the final quarter but could not close the gap as OPSU maintained its advantage on the glass.
Pineda led the Larks with 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists, while Beltran finished with 9 points and 2 rebounds. Bettis and Hall each added 6 points, with Hall going 6-for-9 at the free-throw line. McIntire anchored the interior with 8 rebounds and 4 points, and Jenna Avery added 6 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals.
OPSU was led by Mar’Kia Pratt, who finished with 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Tryssa Dowd added 11 points and 2 blocks.
The Larks will hit the road for a pair of games in Missouri as they take on Central Christian College of the Bible on Friday (Nov. 7) at 5 p.m. and Hannibal-LaGrange on Saturday (Nov. 8) at 1 p.m.
