Spires Hold On For 75-74 Win Over Warriors

Leavenworth, Kan.- The University of Saint Mary Women's Basketball team returned home to host the Sterling Warriors on Wednesday after a week-long road trip. Saint Mary secured a thrilling 75-74 win that came down to a last-second shot from Paige Pendley. The Spires have an overall record of 17-4 and a KCAC record of 14-1.

Pendley was the spark for Saint Mary throughout the game, putting together seven points in the first four minutes of play and giving USM a four-point lead. Sterling responded a few minutes later with an extended scoring drive that erased the Spire's growing lead and gave the Warriors a 19-16 lead. Tanea Sims hit a quick jump shot right as time expired to make it a one-point game. 

The score remained close over the course of the second quarter, which featured four lead changes. Kaylani Hoskin hit two free throws and a layup with five minutes to go, tying the game at 31. Demi Aamold hit a three shortly after, igniting a short scoring run that gave the Spires a 40-33 halftime lead. 

Free throws from Pendley got Saint Mary going in the second half, but Sterling refused to let the score get away from them and put together another extended scoring run to tie things up at 42. Summer Wieneke and Katelynn Ostronic had back-to-back layups to retake the lead and keep the Warriors at bay. Aamold hit another three and two free throws as time expired in the third quarter, Saint Mary led 55-48.

Rebecca Gilpin opened the fourth quarter with a three, and Alyche Brown followed with a jump shot to make it an eight-point 60-52 ball game. However, Sterling began to chip away at the score and soon found themselves in the driver's seat and up one point with 24 seconds left. After a timeout, Saint Mary got the ball to Pendley, who made the game-winning layup. The Spires's defense held on for two consecutive possessions to secure the 75-74 win over Sterling.  

Aamold led the team in point on the night with 16 and was followed closely by Pendley, who had 15, and Sims with 14. Saint Mary also had three players record five or more rebounds throughout the night. 

Up Next

The Spires will be on the road to play Oklahoma Wesleyan at 3 p.m. on Saturday in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.