Saint Mary women's basketball opened the 2016-2017 season with a tight 73-68 loss at Avila on Tuesday night. The back and forth game featured 10 ties and six lead changes.

The first quarter set the tone for the roller coaster game with Avila jumping out to an 8-0 lead before Saint Mary put up 24 points in the final eight minutes of the quarter and led 24-20. Saint Mary would continue to lead Avila deep into the second quarter, but the Eagles would go on an 8-2 run in the final two minutes to lead 38-35 at halftime.

The second half featured more ups and downs. Avila would push their lead to 10 points at one point in the third quarter and led by six heading into the fourth. The Spires would then go on a 7-1 run over the first three minutes of the final period to tie the game at 58-58. The game would be tied again three more times, but Avila would close the second half like the first. This time the Eagles took an 11-4 run over the final two minutes and took the 73-68 victory.

Imani White posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds for Saint Mary. Cassidy Harbert also had 13 points in her first game as a Spire. Kelsey Switzer scored in double digits giving Saint Mary 10 points. White and Switzer were a force on the defensive end as well forcing five steals each while Harbert had the Spires only block of the game.

Free throw woes cost Saint Mary as they shot 25 of 40 (62%) from the free throw line. The Spires had eight fewer turnovers than Avila, but Avila would shoot better from the field. Saint Mary shot 28% from the floor while Avila shot 47%.

The women's basketball team will be back in action this weekend when they compete in the KCAC-HAAC Classic. Saint Mary takes on NAIA Division I host #11 Benedictine at 7:30pm on Friday night in Atchison, KS. On Saturday, the Spires will take on #13 Baker at 1pm.