The Saint Mary women's basketball team earned their first win of the season in impressive fashion on Thursday night. The Spires bested Kansas Wesleyan 96-83 in their first game of KCAC play.

It was an offensive breakout performance for the Spires, as they scored a season high 96 points. The Spires shot 59% from the field, 45% from three point range, and 82% from the free throw line in the win. Saint Mary would season highs in points scored from Imani White and Candy De Los Reyes. White finished with a team high 26 points while De Los Reyes finished with 20 points. Two more Spires scored in double figures as well. Ashley Hinkle scored 11 points and had eight assists, just missing a double-double. Kiera Tate added 10 points.

The first quarter was tight as the teams traded buckets throughout the period, but the Spires would lead 18-17 at the end of the quarter. Kansas Wesleyan would fight back in the second quarter and push out to a five point lead with five minutes left in the first half. Saint Mary closed the half with a 14-6 run to take a 41-38 lead into halftime.

Saint Mary would finally get some separation from the Coyotes in the third quarter. The Spires outscored Kansas Wesleyan 24-17 in the period and headed into the fourth quarter with a 10 point lead. The Coyotes would trim the deficit down to three points with 6:45 remaining in the game, but Saint Mary would pull away with a 13-6 run over the next four minutes to lead 85-73. Strong free throw shooting would seal the win for the Spires to close out the game with a 96-83 victory.

The women's basketball team resumes play on Saturday with a KCAC road game at Oklahoma Wesleyan in Bartlesville, OK. The Eagles are 4-3 on the season, but took a 64-46 loss at Friends in their first KCAC game. Tip off is scheduled for 3pm.