Belles Downed by Thunder in Championship Game

Box Score

WHEATON, Ill. - The Saint Mary's basketball team fell by a 62-42 final score to Wheaton in the host Thunder's Beth Baker Tournament championship game on Saturday.

Wheaton opened the game with a 7-0 scoring run as the Thunder eventually led from start to finish in the game. The hosts then expanded their lead to 27-9 with 5:58 remaining in the first half, but the Belles battled their way to within 11 points of the Wheaton lead with seven straight points. Wheaton added a free throw and a layup in the final 22 seconds of the first period to extend their advantage to 14 at the break.

Saint Mary's cut the deficit down to 10 points in the opening three minutes of the second half of action, but that would be as close as the Belles would get.

Wheaton made 10 more shots from the floor (25) than Saint Mary's (15) while scoring 36 points off 35 turnovers by the Belles.

Shanlynn Bias led the Belles with 15 points on the evening. The junior was named to the all-tournament team along with freshman Krista Knapke, who added two points, six rebounds, and a pair of steals to the Belles' efforts. Nine different players scored at least two points for Saint Mary's in the loss.

The Belles (1-1) will travel to Anderson University on Tuesday, November 20, for a 7:30 p.m. game against the Ravens.

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