BOX SCORE

The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods women's basketball team improved to 3-0 on Saturday with a 77-67 victory against Miami (Ohio) Middletown.
The Pomeroys led by as many as 24 points, taking a 66-42 lead with 1:02 remaining in the third quarter on a 3-pointer by Destiny Thomas. The visiting Thunderhawks rallied against the SMWC reserves throughout the fourth quarter to result in a closer final score.
Leading the way for SMWC was Brooklynn Jones, who finished with 20 points. Freshman Samara Douglas had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Senior Avalee Jeffers had four points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals and senior Sydney Ingram chipped in 10 points.
The Pomeroys quickly built on a 42-30 lead at halftime for their best stretch of play.
SMWC made an 11-0 run as Jeffers and Jones scored in the first minute. Then Abby Worley, who had eight points and five assists, hit a 3-pointer and a mid-range jumper to put SMWC ahead 51-30.
The Pomeroys' defense allowed just Thunderhawks field goals over the final 5 minutes of the third quarter.
"I thought our typical rotations were solid," coach Terry Bowe said. "We got the lead and had an opportunity to play some younger girls and bench players down the stretch. (Miami Middletown) was able to climb back into it."
The Pomeroys shot just 39 percent, including 25 percent from 3-point range, but got the job done with harassing defense and strong rebounding. SMWC had 23 second-chance points off its 22 offensive rebounds.
"We didn't shoot it particularly well. Avalee and her athleticism at the top of our zone was a big factor. Her rebounding at both ends of the floor gave us multiple opportunities. She had numerous deflections that interrupted their flow offensively," Bowe said.
SMWC returns to action Tuesday at Miami (Ohio) Hamilton.