WINFIELD, Kan. – The University of Saint Mary women's basketball team fell late to Southwestern College on the road Monday night, 56-55. The Moundbuilders made a basket with 10 seconds left to take the lead and held the Spires scoreless in the remaining seconds.

The Spires are 1-5 overall and 1-4 in KCAC play.

Southwestern jumped out to an early 10-3 lead just before Macy Walker connected on a three-point basket from beyond the arc. Southwestern later increased their lead to 10 points, before taking a seven point lead at the end of the first quarter, 19-12. Rebecca Gilpin and Walker each hit back-to-back three-pointers to start the second quarter before Danielle Cassady sank two free throws to give the Spires a 20-19 lead.

The big run continued as Jerrica Johnson hit a three-pointer and the Spires would ride it to a 28-19 lead with 5:31 left. Southwestern would make a slim comeback and trailed the Spires 31-28 at halftime. Both teams stayed neck-and-neck with each other in the second half. With Southwestern leading 54-52, Gilpin hit a three-pointer with 17 seconds left to take a one-point lead. Southwestern then inbounded the ball under their own basket and found Atyanna Freeman for a basket with 10 seconds, which later sealed the win.

Gilpin led the Spires with 19 points and Walker chipped in 15 points.

UP NEXT
The Spires are back in action at the Ryan Sports Center Wednesday when they host Friends University at 4 p.m.