Notables
-10 lead changes in the first half
-Second Chance Points: SMU 19, CSS 3
-Shooting Pct.: CSS-44, SMU-38
DULUTH, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica women's basketball team was overcome by Saint Mary's University 67-57 after a competitive match-up in its home opener Tuesday night at the Reif Gymnasium.
The Action
The Cardinals (2-1) opened up play with a layup in the first minute of the game. The next possession,
Kaylee Kennedy (Littlefork, Minn./Littlefork-Big Falls HS) responded with a jump shot for two points of her own. The Saints scored the next six points to lead by four. Scoring was back-and-forth, and the lead was exchanged eight times in the first quarter with Saint Mary's leading 16-15.
The second quarter began the same, but the Cardinals ended the first half with five consecutive points, giving them the 28-23 halftime advantage.
The Saints were the first to score in the second half, but once again points were almost evenly distributed between the two teams for the first four and a half minutes of the quarter. Just when the Saints came close to stealing the lead back at 39-37, Saint Mary's went on a 12-2 run to create a 12-point spread (51-39); the largest margin of the night. The Cardinals led by 53-43 at the end of three periods.
With 8:23 left to play, St. Scholastica came within six points of the Cardinals on a
Michala Walther (Roseville, Minn./Concordia Academy) layup, but that would be the closest they would get to overcoming the deficit. Saint Mary's would go on to win the game 67-57.
Top Performers for the Saints
Kennedy led the Saints with 15 points, while Walther followed up with 10.
Danielle Cieluch (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) had a team-high six rebounds and four assists.
Alison Huber (Ashland, Wis./Ashland HS (Hibbing CC)) also had four assists.
Top Performers for the Opponent
Brooklyn Paulson had a game-high 20 points for the Cardinals. Rachel Kedl tallied 10 rebounds for the team and scored 11 points for a double-double off the bench.
Up Next
The Saints (0-3) will host Augsburg University on Saturday, December 1, in Duluth. Tip-off is schedule for 1 p.m.
