Winona, MN - The Saint Scholastica women's basketball team took on the Cardinals of Saint Mary's University in an away conference matchup. Despite being a very close matchup throughout the entire game and six successful three-pointers from an in-form Jackie Johnson (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji HS), the Saints came up short in the fourth quarter, falling 62-71.
How it Happened
1st Quarter
The Saints opened the game with strong defensive efforts but found their first points through Jackie Johnson (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji HS), who quickly followed up with a three-pointer to bring the score to 5-7 just four minutes into the contest.
The Cardinals responded with a four-point run, extending their lead to 5-11. However, Hope Carlson (Proctor, Minn./Proctor HS) kept the Saints in the fight, sinking a three-pointer and following up with back-to-back layups to cut the deficit to just one, making it 12-13 with three and a half minutes remaining in the quarter.
Jada Bierschbach (Richmond, Minn./Rocori HS) added a layup to the board, while Kloey Lind (Pine City, Minn./Pine City HS) capitalized at the free-throw line with two makes. Despite their efforts, the Saints struggled to contain the Cardinals' offensive surge, falling behind 16-23 with two minutes left in the period.
Madison Kenyon (Woodstock, IL/Marian Central Catholic HS) provided a late spark, scoring a layup just before the buzzer to bring the Saints within five, closing the first quarter at 18-23.
2nd Quarter
The Saints came out strong to start the second quarter, with Lind sinking a free throw just five seconds in. Both teams battled for points, but the Cardinals didn't break through until nearly three minutes in, converting two free throws.
Bierschbach responded quickly with a jumper, keeping the Saints in the fight at 21-25. After giving up a free throw, the Saints seized their first lead of the afternoon thanks to Lind's two more free throws, a clutch three-pointer from Gabby Voigt (St. Michael. Minn./St. Michael- Albertville HS), and another free throw from Lind, pushing them ahead 27-26.
The Cardinals answered with a six-point surge to reclaim the lead, but the Saints weren't done. With two minutes left in the half, they fought back once more.
Johnson drained a three-pointer, followed by another Lind free throw and a layup to edge the Saints ahead 33-31. The Cardinals managed one final free throw before the break, but the Saints held a narrow 33-32 lead heading into halftime.
3rd Quarter
The second half opened with intense back-and-forth action, as Johnson traded three-pointers with the Cardinals.
As the quarter progressed, the Cardinals added three more points before Carlson knocked down her second three-pointer of the game. A single free throw from the Cardinals brought the game to a 39-39 deadlock midway through the third quarter.
With four minutes remaining, the Saints regained the lead when Ava Riegel (Rogers, MN/Totino Grace High School) capitalized on a fast break with a layup. Lind followed up with a jumper in the paint, extending the lead to 43-39.
The Cardinals quickly responded with a six-point run to take back control, but Kenyon had the final say for the Saints, scoring before the buzzer to tie the game once again at 45-45 heading into the final quarter.
4th Quarter
The final quarter of this thrilling matchup opened with the Cardinals sinking a free throw, but Johnson responded yet again with another three-pointer, reclaiming a 48-46 lead for the Saints.
The momentum quickly shifted as the Cardinals unleashed a relentless offensive surge, scoring 10 unanswered points to take a commanding 48-56Â lead with six minutes remaining.
Both teams traded layups over the next few minutes, with Lind contributing two baskets and Johnson continuing her hot streak, draining her fifth three-pointer of the game. Bierschbach added a layup, cutting the deficit to 57-60Â with just three minutes to play.
Needing a big play, Johnson stepped up once more, burying her sixth three-pointer of the night after the Cardinals had tacked on four more points. Daysia Simmons (Albertville, MN/St. Michael HS) then got on the board with two clutch free throws, bringing the score to 62-67.
However, time was not on the Saints' side. With only 28 seconds left, the Cardinals capitalized, adding four more points to end the game in a 62-71 loss for the Saints.
Up Next - The Saint Scholastica women's basketball team (11-10, 8-6 MIAC) will be on the road again on Wednesday, February 12 in St. Paul, MN to face Saint Catherine University. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
