After a rough start to the 2011-12 season against Lake Erie, the young Ursuline basketball team dramatically improved at Slippery Rock University on Wednesday evening, but fell 67-59. After being shutout in game one, sophomore Jaylene Taylor led the Arrows with 17 points and eight rebounds.

Overall the team played a much improved game, but the difference against the Rock was on the offensive glass. The Arrows allowed 20 offensive rebounds, which allowed Slippery Rock to earn second chance scoring opportunities. Slippery Rock made 25 field goals, but only one three pointer, while Ursuline converted on 23 field goals, five of which were from long range. The Rock made ten more trips to the free throw line, making eight more attempts than Ursuline.

In the second half, the Arrows continued their improvement - actually winning the second half 32-29 and even that included two gift free throws that Ursuline provided late in the game with one last effort to close in.

Each team had 33 defensive rebounds, while Ursuline out-shot them in almost every aspect of the game. Eight different Arrows scored, including eight points off the bench for freshmen Darria Baker and Brooke Trauthwein. For Baker her points came on a perfect 3-3 shooting and 2-2 from the line, while she also chipped in three rebounds, four assists, a blocked shot and a steal.

Katie Cappello also had eight points for the Arrows, with three rebounds, an assist and a steal in 30 minutes of action. Starting freshman point guard  Brianna Woods had a much improved game as well, lowering her turnover total dramatically, scoring seven points, grabbing three rebounds, and dishing out three assists.

Ursuline will return to action quickly, heading out to Geneva College in Pennsylvania tomorrow for a 7:00 p.m. game. As always you can listen live on the Ursuline College Sports Network, and we have also provided a link on the schedule page for live stats that will be offered courtesy of Geneva College.