By Chris Schmidbauer, Sports Information Director

Toledo, OH -- After a slow start, the Owens Express Women's Basketball team was able to claw their way to a 65-60 win over Cuyahoga on Monday evening.

Owens tailed by seven points after the first quarter at 21-14. Neither team shot well in the second period. Owens though would gain the upper hand over the Triceratops, outscoring the visitors 13-4 before halftime. The Express would head to the locker room up by two at 27-25. 

The two teams would shoot better in the third. Cuyahoga would shoot 7-12 from the floor in the third, while Owens would shoot 5-10. The Express would outscore Tri-C by two in the period 20-18. Owens would take a slim four point lead into the fourth quarter. 

Both teams would trade baskets in the fourth, with Owens leading 55-52 3:51 to play in the ballgame. Tri-C would come back to tie the game on the next possession thanks to a Diamond Merced three pointer for the Triceratops. Tori Kopp's layup on the ensuing possession would give Owens the lead again, but Cuyahoga would answer back with a layup of their own, courtesy of Kayla Young. The game would remain tied for the next minutes, before Shyah Wheeler would make a pair of free throws. 

Owens would shoot 5-7 from the charity stripe down the stretch to salt away the game for the five point victory. 

Four players were in double figures scoring wise for Owens. Shyah Wheeler led the way with 18 points despite a tough shooting night from the field. She also finished with seven rebounds and five assists. Tori Kopp scored a season high 17 points on 4-9 shooting and a scorching 9-10 from the free throw line. She also would finish with 10 rebounds for her second double-double of the season. 

Whitney Thames nabbed her third double-double in her short time this season. The Perrysburg native had 10 points on 4-6 shooting and 11 rebounds. Lilliana Velazquez scored 11 points off the bench on 4-8 shooting, 

Owens would shoot 38.5% (20-52) from the field while shooting 90.9% (20-22) from the free throw line as a team. Tri-C would shoot 38.2% (26-68) from the field. 

Owens improved to 7-12 overall on the season and are now 5-3 in the OCCAC. Cuyahoga falls to 14-6 overall and are now 3-4 in the OCCAC.

The Express will be at home again this Wednesday at 5:30 when they welcome in Terra State. The game is scheduled to tip off at 5:30 PM at the SHAC.