THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The College of St. Scholastica women's basketball team earned a statement road victory on Saturday, defeating No. 20 California Lutheran 88–72 to extend its winning streak to five games and improve to 8–1 on the season, tying the best start in program history dating back to 1987.
Facing a nationally ranked opponent in Cal Lutheran — currently No. 20 in the WBCA NCAA Division III Coaches Poll — the Saints delivered a balanced and efficient performance from start to finish, controlling the game with sustained offensive pressure and smart defensive execution.
St. Scholastica's offense was powered by a trio of standout scorers who combined for 65 of the team's 88 points. Guard Ava Haus (St. Michael, MN/St. Michael-Albertville High School) led the way with 23 points, shooting 5-of-17 from the field and a perfect 10-of-10 at the free-throw line, while adding eight rebounds and five assists in a complete all-around outing. Guard Kloey Lind (Pine City, MN/Pine City HS) followed with 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting, pulling down five boards and contributing five assists. Sophomore Evie Schmitz (Burnsville, MN/St. Louis Park) continued her breakout season with 20 points, including 5-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc.
Guard Jackie Johnson (Bemidji, MN/Bemidji HS) also finished in double figures with 11 points and seven rebounds, while others chipped in key baskets and defensive plays to keep the Saints in command throughout the contest.
After jumping out to a 24–17 first-quarter lead, St. Scholastica extended its advantage behind strong shooting and timely defensive stops. By halftime, the Saints held a comfortable cushion and maintained control for the remainder of the game despite a spirited effort from the host team.
"Today was a tremendous team effort. We held a team team grabbing 49% of their offensive rebounds on the season to 30%. We played tremendous team defense and were clicking on offense," said head coach Jason Schmitz.
"These women have continued to put in amazing work day in and day out, they earned this one,"
Cal Lutheran's offense was led by Janna Holley and Kaiya Mack, who each scored 18 points, and Alline Ballard, who added 12 points and a team-high 11 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to slow down a balanced Saints attack.
The victory not only extends St. Scholastica's current surge but also marks a signature win over a nationally ranked opponent, underscoring the program's continued rise this season. With the result, the Saints match the best nine-game start in program history, a standard that had stood since 1987
Up next, the Saints continue their trip in California with a game against Chapman University on Sunday, December 21 at 3:00p.m. Tip-off against the Panthers will be a historic one, as a win would set them apart with the single best start to a season in St. Scholastica program history.
