Box Score NEW ULM, Minn. (csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica women's basketball team was able to hold off a tough Martin Luther Knights squad that kept fighting back from numerous CSS seven point leads.  The Saints would pull away in the final minutes of the game to win the thrilling Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) contest by a score of 79-70 Friday night on the campus of Martin Luther.

The first half started in favor of the Saints as Elena Huber (Northfield, Minn./Northfield HS) put up the games first points off of a layup.  The Saints and Knights battled back and forth until the CSS was able to extend a lead to nine points, 22-13, off of a Sammy Doucette (Colfax, Wis./Colfax HS (UW-River Falls)) 3-pointer.

 The Knights would fight back to claim the lead for the first time in the game, 24-22 with an 11-0 run ending at the 6:59 mark. 
The scoring drought for the Saints would stop after that, as they would reclaim the lead by holding the Knights scoreless for the last 4:29 of the half.  The Saints would storm into the break with a 38-29 advantage.

CSS ended the half shooting nearly 48-percent from the field and 45-percent from beyond the arc.  Martin Luther finished shooting 35-percent from the field and 29-percent from 3-point distance.  Both teams were even in turnovers at eight apiece.

The second half was much of the same close action as each team battled in the post and out on the wings.  CSS was able to hold its lead for most of the half until the Knights were able to keep the game to one possession in the latter stages of the game.  The Knights would eventually tie the game 59-59 with 5:44 remaining in the game.

The finish of the game was all CSS though as the Saints were able to convert several one-in-one situations to put the game on ice, eventually winning by a score of 79-70.

Martin Luther (4-11, 2-2 UMAC) was led by Rebecca Engelbrecht and Alex Anthon with 17 points apiece.  Hannah Hackbarth added 13 points while Brittney Gossen chipped in 11 points.

The Knights finished the game shooting 42-percent from the field, 37-percent from beyond the arc, and 61-percent from the free-throw line.  The Knights would grab 40 rebounds and commit a modest 14 turnovers.

CSS was lead by Erin Frase (Phillips, Wis./Phillips HS (UW-River Falls)).  She poured in 19 points to go along with six rebounds.  Mariah Hovick (Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake HS) and Danica Schellbach (Rush City, Minn./Rush City HS) each had 10 points in the win. Schellbach had a double-double on the night, hauling in 11 rebounds as well.  Kayla Heisler (Remer, Minn./Northland HS) and Sammy Doucette (Colfax, Wis./Colfax HS (UW-River Falls)) both chipped in nine points. 

The Saints finished the game shooting 45-percent from the field, 50-percent from beyond the arc, and 59-percent from the free-throw line.  CSS would grab 42 total rebounds and commit 13 turnovers.

St. Scholastica (5-10, 2-2 UMAC) will make the short trek over to Mankato to face Bethany Lutheran College tomorrow for another road UMAC contest.  That matchup is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. local time.  Tune into csssaints.com for updates from that game.