Notables
-Walther has scored in double-figures in nine straight games
-Saints have not won in New Ulm since 2013
-Martin Luther had 23 offensive rebounds
-Second Chance Points: MLC-21, CSS-6
-Each of the last four meetings have been decided by single digits
NEW ULM, Minn. (
csssaints.com) -- The St. Scholastica women's basketball team was beaten out by Martin Luther College 61-58 Friday night after a close game that was tied late in the contest.
The Action
In the first period,
Kayla Swanson (Hibbing, Minn./Hibbing HS) got the Saints started with a good layup in the paint, putting the score at 2-0. The Knights were able to quickly rebound and take the lead, with the Saints following close behind. Halfway through the quarter, Swanson made a free throw to tie up the game 5-5. CSS would pull away with the lead and end the period leading 14-11.
The Knights would get the first points of the second period, making St. Scholastica's lead go down to one point.
Zoe Bystrom (Cook, Minn./North Woods HS (Hibbing CC)) would expand the lead with a good layup, putting the score at 16-13. The Saints would lead by as much as seven points before the Knights went on a 10-0 run and take the lead with four minutes left in the period. Martin Luther would pull away and lead by eight points, putting the score at 32-24. The Knights scored 21 points this period; CSS scored only 10.
In the third period, Martin Luther would continue to be ahead, by as much as 14 at one point. The Saints would be able to catch up with an 11-0 run and only be behind by three points by the end of the period. Eight of those 11 points were scored by
Michala Walther (Roseville, Minn./Concordia Academy). Martin Luther would lead 44-41 going into the fourth period.
The Knights would continue to lead this period until the halfway mark. Walther, off of a fastbreak, netted a good layup in the paint to tie 50-50. A minute later, MLC regained the lead with two successful free throws. After two missed CSS free throws, Martin Luther got a layup and then drained a 3-pointer to make it 57-50 with 1:30 to go. St. Scholastica did not give in, however, and after a pair of Walther 3-pointers got within two with under 10 seconds remaining. The Knights made 1-of-2 free throws on the other end, but the Saints had a look to tie it as the buzzer sounded, but the shot was off the mark and the Knights hung on for the 61-58 victory.
Top Performers
Walther led St. Scholastica with 18 points. Swanson netted 11 points and
Emelia Miner (Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson HS) scored nine. Walther assisted four times.
Martin Luther's Jade St. Germaine scored the most points for her team with 17 points.
Up Next
The Saints (3-7, 2-2 UMAC) travel to Bethany Lutheran College for a conference game tomorrow. Game time is scheduled for 3 p.m.
