The Saint Mary women's basketball team took a 65-61 win over Ottawa on Saturday to even their KCAC record at 7-7. The Spires also evened their overall record at 10-10. Saint Mary remains deadlocked with McPherson for seventh place in the KCAC.

After opening the game with a 9-4 run, Saint Mary went quiet over the final two minutes of the first quarter and trailed 11-9 headed into the second. Ottawa would maintain the lead until Ashley Hinkle netted a three to tie the game with 4:34 on the clock. The Spires finished the first half with an 18-5 run to lead by eight at the break.

In the third quarter, Ottawa battled back to regain the lead at 39-38 just over four minutes into the period. Saint Mary would eventually trail by five headed into the fourth. Ottawa pushed their lead to seven points before the Spires started to rally. Two free throws from Candy De Los Reyes with 1:41 on the clock tied the game at 55. The Spires outscored the Braves 10-6 the rest of the way to claim the victory.

Hinkle posted her season high in points with 23 to lead the Spires in the win. De Los Reyes added 14 points. Sienna Brown led Saint Mary in rebounds with eight. De Los Reyes had six rebounds. The Spires held Ottawa to just 34% shooting from the floor and 18% from three point range. Saint Mary shot 46% from three and 83% from the free throw line, proving to be the difference in the game.

The women's basketball team will be back in action on Wednesday in Salina at 6pm where they will take on Kansas Wesleyan. The Spires defeated the Coyotes 65-62 in the Ryan Sports Center earlier this season Kansas Wesleyan is 12-10 on the season and 9-4 in KCAC play.