Olathe, Kan.—Spire women's basketball stayed within striking distance for three quarters, but MNU's size and rebounding down the stretch proved to be the turning point in a 69-54 defeat this evening in round one of the NAIA Women's Basketball National Tournament. The Spires see their 2025-26 season come to a close after reaching the national tourney three out of the last four seasons, a momentum their proud to keep building upon.

KCAC Freshman of the Year, Abby Wendte led the Spires with a game-high 19 points, setting the tone early with a steal and fast break layup for the game's first basket. She capped the opening quarter with a buzzer-beating jumper to bring her team within 17-16 after eight minutes. The Spires continued to battle in the second quarter, getting a late offensive put back from Cady Huffman in the final minute of the half to cut the deficit to three at the break.

USM trailed just 30-27 at halftime and were within single digits for much of the third quarter before the host Pioneers used a series of second-chance opportunities and interior stops to pull away. MNU outscored the Spires in each of the final three quarters and finished with a 52-29 advantage on the glass, including 19 offensive rebounds that consistently extended possessions, putting the Spires just out of reach every time they made an aggressive push.

MNU began to create separation in the third quarter, building a double-digit lead behind a 3-pointer from Grace Carlson that pushed the margin to 43-30 with 6:37 left in the frame. USM responded with another surge, as Wendte buried a 3-pointer to trim the deficit to 45-38 and Addison Tower converted at the line in the final minute of the quarter to keep the Spires within 50-42 heading to the fourth.

The pivotal stretch came early in the final quarter. Huffman scored inside and added an assist as Saint Mary cut the margin to 56-47, but MNU answered with another key perimeter shot when Lukert knocked down a bucket from deep to restore a double-digit lead at 59-47 with 5:53 to play. From there it was all MNU, the Pioneer interior defense and control of the boards limited the Spires' every chance, with the hosts closing the game on a 10-7 run despite a late 3-pointer from Tower that would bring the Spires to their final total of 54 points to MNU's 69.

USM finished 20-for-60 from the field and 5-for-22 from 3-point range, while committing just nine turnovers and turning MNU's 14 miscues into 18 points. The Spires also blocked seven shots and collected nine steals, repeatedly creating transition looks. However, MNU's 47 points in the paint and 12 second-chance points, fueled by a 52-29 rebounding advantage, ultimately swung the first-round victory in favor of the Pioneers.

Alongside Wendte's 19 points, which came alongside three steals and two blocks, Saige Grampsas, All-KCAC Honorable Mention honoree, added 10 points, four rebounds and three assists to balance the Spires' attack. All-KCAC Third Team honoree, Keely Barnard, would add 9 points, a steal and an assist. Huffman and Tower contributed key baskets in the second-half push as USM continued to generate points in the lane, finishing with 35 points in the paint.

The Spires see their season end in Olathe with an overall record of 20-11 and 17-7 in KCAC play. The University of Saint Mary is extremely proud of the way our athletes represent USM both on and off the floor and congratulate the Spire women's basketball team on a thrilling season.