LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – It came down to the final seconds inside the Ryan Sports Center Wednesday night, where the University of Saint Mary women's basketball team cut the deficit to one possession with five seconds left, before Oklahoma Wesleyan University sank two free throws to seal the game 82-78 Wednesday night, on Senior Night.

The Spires are now 4-22 overall and 4-18 in the KCAC on the season.

After the game, seniors Dakota Corle and Madison Siebert were honored for their contributions to the women's basketball program.

Oklahoma Wesleyan quickly saw their 10-3 run to start the first quarter, diminish as the Spires went on a 10-3 run of their own to tie the score at 13. Rebecca Gilpin nailed a three-pointer to tie the game with 4:28 left in the period. Both teams traded punches in the second quarter as the Spires would take a 36-35 lead after a basket from Corle. Oklahoma Wesleyan grabbed the lead back, but would hold a narrow 47-42 advantage at the half.

The Eagles would extend the lead in the third quarter, but USM quickly bounced back and cut the deficit to one after Kaylie Simonds hit a long range shot – making the score 58-57 OKWU at the 3:11 mark of the third quarter. With the Eagles leading 64-59, Corle found an opening at the top of the key and hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to two heading to the fourth.

The Spires would tie the score twice in the fourth quarter and had a chance in the final seconds, trailing 80-78. USM was unable to convert on the final possession and the Eagles made two free throws at the end.

Danielle Cassady led the team with a double-double of 22 points and 10 assists. Gilpin scored a career high 17 points for the Spires and Macy Walker scored 12.

UP NEXT
The Spires hit the road for their final two regular season contests, beginning with a trip to Winfield, Kan. on Feb. 19 at Southwestern College. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.