WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University women’s basketball team headed into Saturday’s Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game against Saint Benedict in dire need of a solid start.
In their previous three games, the Cardinals had managed 20, 15 and 22 points respectively, in the first half in losses to Macalester, Bethel and Gustavus.
Coach Mandy Pearson got her wish, as SMU shot 50 percent from the field in scoring 24 points over the game’s first 20 minutes.
Problem was, as good as SMU was in the first half, the Blazers were even better, as CSB knocked down 18 of their 31 first half field goals and rode that 58 percent shooting to a commanding 44-24 halftime advantage.
And while the Cardinals matched Saint Benedict point-for-point over the final 20 minutes, they could not cut into the 20-point deficit in falling 81-61 at the SMU Gym.
Jess Miller (Carver, Minn.) led the way for SMU (3-12 MIAC, 4-14 overall), scoring a game-high 16 points, while also pulling down a team-best five rebounds.
Cherie Kulig (Independence, Wis.) chipped in 10 points for the Cardinals, who also got nine points from
Emily DeWitt (Lino Lakes, Minn.) and eight points and four assists from
Jessica Thone (Woodbury, Minn.)
Amy Stifter netted 15 points to lead three Blazers in double figures, with Heather Gillund and Laura Canton added 14 and 10 points, respectively.
SMU is back in action on Monday, traveling to St. Thomas for a 7:45 p.m. conference game against the Tommies.