The final score may not have turned out as everyone hoped, but the Lake Erie women's basketball game against Kentucky Wesleyan on Monday could still be considered a success. Despite losing to the Panthers 94-68, the Storm still left the Jerome T. Osborne Athletic Center having done something to be proud of.

Coming into the game, the big story was senior forward Breanna Bauer's quest to attain 1,000 career points. Bauer was tantalizingly close to the milestone, but that storyline was at jeopardy of being overshadowed by the fact that nine Storm players were placed in quarantine due to COVID-19 precautions. Due to these restrictions, Lake Erie only had seven players available for the contest, including only two regular starters.

But given the less-than ideal situation that the Storm found themselves in, they still put up an incredible fight. Breanna Bauer registered 18 points, including her 1,000th career point, which she scored in the first half to joy of her teammates and family in the stands. Bauer also grabbed 10 rebounds in her final home game. Forward Abby Matalavage played very well in more minutes than she's accustomed to, dropping 14 points of her own. Additionally, Kayla Clark had 11 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

But Kentucky Wesleyan just had too much firepower for the depleted Storm to fend off. Three different Panthers players had at least 11 points, with forward Jordyn Barga leading the charge with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Emma Johnson put up 15 points and six assists as a non-starter. Kentucky Wesleyan had 33 more bench points than the Storm, who hardly had a bench to speak of. The Panthers also had more fast break points, 22-6, second chance points, 27-7, points off turnovers, 17-10, and points in the paint, 62-58.

The outcome wasn't what the Storm wanted, but there were still positives to take away from the game. And now, the women's team only has one more game left in this strange 2020-21 season, on Saturday at Walsh. That affair is scheduled to start at 1:00.