Belles Claim Home Finale Against Kalamazoo

Box Score

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The Saint Mary's basketball team took full advantage of a big crowd in their home finale on Senior Day with a 68-49 win against Kalamazoo on Saturday.


The five members of the Class of 2012 were
recognized before the start of their final home game.With the game tied at 17-17, the Belles went on a 15-2 run to take control of the game. Spurred by four consecutive possessions with made baskets, the Belles took just over four minutes of the half to push their lead to 13 points at 32-19. During that run, Kelley Murphy scored seven points, Shanlynn Bias had six points, and Annie Doyle stole an in-bound pass and converted the theft-created opportunity with a layup.

Early in the second half, the Hornets connected on three consecutive possessions to cut the Belles' advantage to seven points at 40-33 with 17:47 left in the period. Saint Mary's took little time to re-establish a double-digit lead and went on a 9-0 run midway through the half to push their lead to 57-37. From that point on, the Belles led by at least 15 points for the remainder of the contest.

As a team, the Belles were a perfect 21-of-21 from the free throw line on the afternoon. That effort ties the MIAA single game record with a perfect 1.000 mark from the line while Saint Mary's made three more than the listed record (18-of-18, by Alma against Calvin 12/31/03). Saint Mary's also scored 33 of their points off of 26 Kalamazoo turnovers.

Kelley Murphy led all players with 19 points and added nine rebounds in the win. Jessica Centa added 12 points and eight rebounds while hitting all six of her free throw attempts. Patsy Mahoney moved into seventh place all-time scoring with a 10-point effort to go along with four assists. Shanlynn Bias also chipped in 10 points for the Belles in the win.

The Belles (13-12, 9-7 MIAA) will now look to the MIAA Tournament. Saint Mary's will travel to MIAA Champion Calvin on Thursday, February 23 for a 7:30 p.m. semifinal game against the Knights.