Thunderbirds Season Comes To End With Second National Tournament Loss

Hoping to bounce back from its opening round loss, the UTTC Thunderbirds took on Kankakee out of Illinois in a loser-out game at the NJCAA Division II National Tournament. 

Early on, freshman McKayla Peltier got the Thunderbirds rolling with the Thunderbirds' first five points, but Kankakee had as many answers and then some, slipping out to an early 13-7 lead.  Three straight Thunderbird turnovers lead to six more Kankakee points which forced a Thunderbird time-out with 4 minutes left in the first quarter, UTTC trailing 7-19.

Freshman Kaylea SkunkCap took over in the next minute of the game, scoring eight straight Thunderbird points on two three-pointers and a lay-up to help keep the game closer as Kankakee lead 21-15 before Peltier knocked home another three-pointer near the end of the quarter, closing the gap to three at 21-18 Kankakee.  That score would close out the quarter.

Like Tuesday's opener, Thunderbird turnovers were a key component as Kankakee converted numerous turnovers into points.  The beginning of the second quarter was just what UTTC wanted.  Two quick baskets by lone sophomore Gia Davis put UTTC in the lead at 22-21.  But it wouldn't last long as Kankakee quickly rattled off an 8-0 run to take back the game's lead. Half-time saw the score 43-31, Kankakee maintaining its advantage. 

The start of the second half swung back in the Thunderbirds favor as Shelby Greely, Jessica Starr, Terae Briggs, and Davis all chipped in with timely baskets, cutting the Kankakee lead to 5, 47-42 with 5:30 to go in the third quarter.  A furious run to close out the third brought UTTC to within a point, trailing 52-53 at the end of the quarter.

Kanakakee would relinquish the lead at 54-53 but would answer with a huge three-point basket of its own and down the stretch would take a lead and never let go.  Though it wouldn't be easy as Peltier would close it to 55-56 on a free thrown but then UTTC would not get closer.  The final would see UTTC eliminated, losing 63-73. 

SkunkCap would lead the squad in scoring with 16, while Peltier and Davis followed with 15 and 14, respectively.