Winona Lake, INDIANA - For the second day in a row, the Royals' opponent shot the lights at the 2024 NCCAA Women's Basketball National Tournament. Facing the #5 Southwestern Christian University from Oklahoma, the Royals were unable to keep the momentum going from an early lead and facing a team that shot close to 50% from the field, the Royals would need a near-perfect performance to force the upset in the sound round which was not in the cards. The Royals would fall 83-51 and in search of their first-ever NCCAA National Tournament victory in program history.

SCU (16-15) advances to the consolation game on Friday night, while the Royals will play at 3:00 pm on Friday in the 7vs8 match-up against #3 Asbury University from Kentucky.

The Royals (9-15) will head home Saturday as they wrap up another positive season on the floor. Under head coach Jesse VanHouwelingen, the program continues to improve each season. VanHouwelingen said he believes the Royals showed, with their body of work, that they belong in the NCCAA National Tournament, especially after going head-to-head less than twelve hours ago with the tournament favourite and #1 seed Oakland City Oaks.

Senior Jessica Angelini once again led the Royals in scoring, shooting 5-12 from the field and 3-8 from beyond the arc to finish with 15 points. 

Perhaps the Royals' biggest struggle this tournament has been their turnovers. Following last night's 41, the Royals gave away another 22 balls in the loss to an Eagles team that transitioned for 29 points and out rebounded the Royals 49-30. 

"Hopefully, we get a chance to get some rest and turn things around tomorrow," said VanHouwelingen. "It's tough to finish after midnight, turn around, and play a 1:00 pm game. But we are thankful for the experience and will be ready for tomorrow's final game."

The Royals were 12 for 16 from the line against Southwestern and 7-27 from behind the arc. Sydney Drain calmly sank back-to-back 3s as the Royals attempted to claw back in the third quarter but ran out of steam in catching up to the hot-shooting Eagles.

This was the first meeting between the Royals and Eagles and the first time a Canadian Team has played in the NCCAA National WBB Tournament. 

Mia Palango, playing on a sore knee, hit 3 of 4 shots from the field and once again led the Royals in steals. The biggest difference tonight was the bench points as Southwestern more than doubled Redeemer outsourcing the Red and White 20-7.  

"These ladies played their hearts out," VanHouwelingen said after the game. We played every one of the athletes, and each fought every second they were on the floor." "We will watch some film and be ready for tomorrow, and I have no doubt we will once again battle against another excellent team in Asbury". 

Second-year forward Talia Vreugdenhill had another great game, pulling down four rebounds and scoring her first three-pointer of the season. Steffanie Blair led the team on the glass with six rebounds and played a vital role off the bench, sparking the third-quarter comeback that was buried with the Eagles shooting 50% from behind the arc and 56% from the field.  

The Royals will be back in action tomorrow, and fans can catch all the action and follow the NCCAA National Tournament at nccaanetwork.com 

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