NORTH CANTON, OH: In big games, you need your seniors. Senior,
Emma Dretke, showed up for the 4th seeded Walsh Cavaliers Basketball team in their first G-MAC Tournament appearance since the 2022-2023 season; Dretke's freshman year.
Fast forward to present time, the Cavaliers are hot when it matters most. After an 8-2 start, the Cavs lost 8 straight. They were on the outside looking in to potential conference tournament chances but the right wins at the right time, including road victories over Kentucky Wesleyan, Thomas More, and Ashland propelled the team to the 4th seed and a home tournament game.
The Maroon and Gold made the most of the home court advantage on Tuesday night.
In March, the ball can drop any way. Every possession matters. Tonight's win was just that. An even played first half, both teams rode the waves of playoff basketball. Walsh found themselves down one point at the break.
Knotted up at 36 at the 4:11 mark of the 3rd quarter, the tide turned to Walsh as the Cavaliers went on a 13-0 run. The Women were up 7 headed to the final period.
An eight point lead quickly diminished as the Charger's were not going to go away easy. The score was 55-54, Walsh, with 2:06 to play. With 22 seconds to go and a 4 point lead,
Emma Dretke fired a 3 from the right corner. It went in giving the Cavs the cushion they needed to secure the victory.
Dretke's big shot and final free throw ended her final home game as a Cav with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Both figures were season high's.
Next up, the Women will travel to Northwood University to take on the #1 seeded Timberwolves in the G-MAC Semifinals. Tip off is scheduled for Friday, March 6th at 5:30pm.
LOCATION: Alumni Arena
SCORE: #4 WU 62 - #5 HC 56
RECORDS: WU 17-12 (12-8), HC 15-12 (11-9)
FOR THE CAVS
