Notables
-Walther has scored in double-figures in seven straight games
-Rebounding: CSS-45, NCU-31
-Second-Chance Points: CSS-20, NCU-8
-Bench Points: CSS-26, NCU-4

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MINNEAPOLIS (csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica women's basketball team trailed 28-27 at halftime at North Central University on Saturday, but out-scored the Rams 22-10 in the third quarter en route to a 64-54 victory in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) action.
 
Slow First Quarter
The Rams scored the first six points of the game and led by as much as nine in the first quarter. The Saints trailed 17-9 after one period. Michala Walther (Roseville, Minn./Concordia Academy) had seven of the team's nine points.
 
Second Quarter Run
The North Central lead climbed to 13, minutes into the second quarter. The Rams led 26-16 with five minutes left before halftime, but the Saints closed the half on a 9-2 run to cut the margin to 28-27 at halftime. Emelia Miner (Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson HS) had six of the nine points during the run. The Rams were held without a field goal in the final 5:05.
 
Momentum Continues into the Third
The Saints came out of the locker room and out-scored North Central 16-3 in the first seven minutes of the third quarter, including a 9-0 run to take a 43-31 lead. The margin grew to 14 before North Central cut it to 49-38 at the end of the quarter.
 
Kayla Swanson (Hibbing, Minn./Hibbing HS) had seven points in the quarter on 3-of-3 shooting and 1-for-1 from the free throw line. The Saints shot 53 percent from the floor in the quarter and out-scored the Rams 16-2 in the paint.
 
Saints Close it Out
The Rams got only as close as nine in the fourth quarter as Sam Brannen (Ramsey, Minn./Anoka HS) was 5-for-6 from the free throw line and the Rams were only 5-for-13 from the floor. The Saints won by a final tally of 64-54.
 
Top Performances for CSS
Walther had 17 points to pace the Saints. Swanson had a season-high 14 points off the bench. Brittani Brennan (Ashland, Wis./Ashland HS) had eight points and seven rebounds. Miner also added eight points.
 
Top Performances for NCU
The conference's second-leading scorer, Lizzy Swanson, had 21 points. Jamie High finished with 14 points and eight rebounds. Marissa Kari added 13 points.
 
Up Next
The Saints (6-10, 4-4 UMAC) return home next weekend to face Bethany Lutheran College on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. The action can be seen live on Saints Sports Net.