Kessler,
Bender Lead Saint Mary’s to Win
Box
Score
Alison Kessler scored a career high 28 points while Shelly Bender
posted a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds as Saint
Mary’s posted a 74-66 win against Olivet in one of the
biggest wins in school history.
The win elevates the Belles record to 10-11 overall and 8-4
in MIAA action while the Comets falls to 12-8 and 8-3 respectively.
The victory means Saint Mary’s will finish with no worse
than a .500 record in league play and also gives the Belles their
first ever three-game winning streak against conference foes.
Saint Mary’s joined the league during the 1997-98 season.
In the first meeting between the two schools this season on
Jan. 5, Olivet knocked off the Belles 92-55 at the Angela Athletic
Center.
In the opening frame, Olivet jumped out to 14-5 lead less than
five minutes into the contest. The Belles slowly chipped away
at their deficit and with the score tied at 22-22 with 8:06 left
until halftime, Saint Mary’s went on a 18-6 scoring spurt
to finish the half in taking a 40-28 edge at the break.
The Belles stayed in control most of the second half and held
their largest lead at 60-39 with 9:05 remaining. Olivet was able
to get their deficit to less than double figures at 66-59 on
a Stephanie Smith three-pointer with 1:45 left. Down the stretch
the Belles connected on 8-of-10 from the foul line to seal the
win over the third place team in the MIAA.
Kessler converted 15 of her 18
attempts from the charity stripe and nailed three of her four
attempts from beyond the arc to aid in her career night.
Bender tallied the third double-double
of the season for the Belles and the first of her career. Her
11 rebounds represents a career best for the senior. Erin Newsom
rounded out the double figure
scorers for the Belles with 16.
Saint Mary’s hosts #14 Calvin on Saturday afternoon at
3 p.m. in the Angela Athletic Center.
|
