WILBERFORCE, OHIO – The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College women's basketball team fell on day two of its trip to Ohio, as Wilberforce handed the Pomeroys an 80-78 loss. The Pomeroys controlled the majority of the game before a strong fourth quarter by the Bulldogs dropped SMWC to 6-8 on the year.

Junior Ja'Breena Gardner led the Pomeroys with 13 points. Sophomore Tara Parmer was the only other Pomeroy in double figures with 10 points. Parmer led SMWC in rebounds with eight and steals with five.

The Bulldogs edged out SMWC in the first quarter 18-17. In the second quarter, the Pomeroys turned up the offense and tightened up the defense on their way to outscoring the Bulldogs 18-11. The Pomeroys came out of the break with a 35-29 lead and finished the third quarter up 57-50.  

The fourth quarter spelled trouble for SMWC. The Pomeroys built their lead to eight just a minute into the final quarter on Friday. The Bulldogs came roaring back to pull within two, 66-64, with 5:56 to play. 25 seconds later the Bulldogs tied the game up at 66 and then 17 seconds later they took the lead off of a pair of free throws. A layup by freshman Callan Taylor tied the game back up at 72 with 2:44 to play. The Bulldogs would regain the lead at 2:25 with a layup, but their lead would be short lived after a three-pointer by junior Mikayla Kinneer gave SMWC the lead for their final time, 75-74. A layup and a pair of free throws by the Bulldogs closed out the Pomeroys, who had an opportunity down three and with WU missing two free throws. However, WU got the offensive board off the second missed free throw and was fouled. The Bulldogs would make the next two freebies to seal the victory. Gardner made the final shot of the game with a three-pointer with one second left, but it proved to be too little too late.

The Pomeroys will be back in action on January 12 when they head to Lincoln Christian for an 8 p.m. start.