Leavenworth, Kan.— A 31-5 blitz in the first quarter set the tone as Saint Mary overwhelmed York University (Neb.) 82-54 on Wednesday evening in Ryan Sports Center, utilizing the stifling defense and balanced scoring to take control early and never allow the Panthers back into the game.

The Spires seized command from the opening tip, racing out to a 5-0 start and stretching the margin behind hot shooting and disruptive defense. Keely Barnard's early 3-pointer helped fuel the surge, and A'Myah Bankston capped the dominant first quarter with a late layup that pushed the lead to 31-5. Saint Mary's pressure held York to just five points in the opening 10 minutes, effectively deciding the tone for the contest in the first quarter.
The Spires cooled slightly in the second quarter while still maintaining a comfortable cushion, taking a 42-18 lead into halftime after a late 3-pointer from Jaylee Levario. York showed brief signs of life behind a 3-pointer from Lauren Perez early in the frame, yet the Spires' defensive rotations and control of the glass prevented any significant run. USM owned a 41-36 rebounding advantage for the game, including 17 offensive boards that consistently extended possessions.

The Spires slowest stretch came in the third quarter, when the Panthers outscored Saint Mary 16-12 and trimmed the deficit slightly with perimeter shooting. Destiny Shepherd knocked down a 3-pointer to cut into the margin, but each push was answered. Saige Grampsas buried a 3-pointer early in the third as the Spires continued to trade baskets while protecting a sizable lead, taking a 65-34 advantage into the final quarter.

USM closed the door emphatically in the fourth, pouring in 28 points over the final 10 minutes to restore and extend the margin. Abby Wendte hit a pair of free throws during a late surge that widened the gap, and a driving layup from Riley Kerwin in the final minute capped the 28-point victory. The Spires finished 33-for-75 (44.0%) from the field and 9-for-28 (32.1%) from 3-point range, while also piling up 18 assists against just eight turnovers.
Summer Wieneke led a balanced Saint Mary attack with 15 points on 7-for-12 shooting to go with five rebounds in 18 minutes. Barnard added 12 points, including 2-for-5 from beyond the arc, and contributed four assists while helping direct the offense. The Spires' depth and ball movement were evident, with multiple players chipping in and the team generating eight steals and four blocks on the defensive end.

York struggled to find rhythm offensively against the Spire defense, finishing 20-for-69 (29.0%) from the floor and 5-for-19 (26.3%) from 3-point range. However, the Panthers 14 turnovers and limited ball movement — just five assists as a team — allowed the Spires to dictate tempo and cruise to the home win.

Up next for the Spires they will end their three-game home streak and hit the road to Hillsboro, Kansas to take on the Tabor College Bluejays on Saturday, January 17^th at 5:00p.m. With an impressive 9-2 conference record and a Sterling College loss this evening to the Bethany Swedes, the Spire women have set themselves up nicely and are sitting at #3 in the KCAC.