WINFIELD, Kan. – A strong defensive effort, along with four players scoring in double-figures capped off a 72-62 win for the University of Saint Mary women's basketball team over Southwestern College Wednesday night.
Saint Mary is now 7-16 overall and 5-14 in the KCAC on the season.
Saint Mary held a 12-11 lead midway through the first quarter Wednesday night, before extending the lead to 28-16 at the end of the period. Dakota Corle would open the second quarter with a three-pointer, while Lexi Schamberger knocked down a long range shot to give the Spires a 34-18 advantage four minutes into the second quarter. The Spires held the Moundbuilders to just eight points in the period, while Danielle Cassady hit a three-pointer with 2:45 left in the half to give the Spires a 42-24 lead.
Southwestern would cut the deficit to just eight points in the third quarter as they outscored the Spires 23-13, but Saint Mary still held a 55-47 lead. Southwestern would score four straight points in the final quarter to make it a 55-51 game, but Saint Mary bounced back as Paige Scheckel, Sienna Brown and Schamberger quickly ballooned the Spires lead back to double-digits at 62-51. The 11-0 run continued until the 3:18 mark as the Spires lead held strong to earn their second straight victory.
"I was very proud of our group," Saint Mary women's basketball head coach Katelyn Loecker said. "It was a total team effort. We had four players score in double-figures tonight and thought we did a really nice job on both the offensive and defensive ends. Before the game we talked about playing through adversity and laying with a high focus. There was a point in the game that Southwestern got within four points. Our girls stayed together and finished the game out strong."
Brown led the Spires with 16 points, while Corle had 13 and Scheckel had 12. Tiani White also recorded her first double-double of the year with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Saint Mary shot 51.9 percent from the floor and held the Moundbuilders to just 34.9 percent.
UP NEXT
The Spires continue their conference road trip when they travel to No. 16 Tabor College on Saturday. Tipoff for the game is set for 5 p.m.
