SMWC ended a 12-year drought against Rose-Hulman on Wednesday night in Knoerle Center in convincing fashion to return the Crosstown Classic trophy to western Vigo County for the first time since 2011.
The Pomeroys led by as many as 27 points – 60-33 going into the fourth quarter -- after scoring 33 in the third quarter before holding on for a 68-56 victory against the Engineers to snap an eight-game losing streak in the series maintain a 15-13 edge all-time vs. Rose.
Abigail Parker led the way in scoring for SMWC with 15 points, scoring eight during the big third quarter. SMWC connected on 52 percent of its shot attempts in the third quarter. Parker hit 3 of 4 from 3-point range in the game and added three assists and two steals.
Kylee Stepp had all eight of her points in the third quarter. Madison Fueger had six of her seven points in the third and four of her five steals as the Pomeroys' pressure defense took over.
SMWC went on a 16-4 run that included two steals by Fueger, 2 3-pointers by Parker, one 3-pointer for Stepp and a nice fast-break assist by Aubrey Burgess to set up Fueger for a layup.
SMWC forced 24 turnovers that translated into 27 points. For the game, SMWC held Rose-Hulman to 28.8 percent shooting.
"We got after it defensively. We were able to anticipate passes, work together and talk and do the things we needed," Parker said.
Burgess came off the bench to total seven points, nine rebounds and two assists. Abby Worley had a team-high six assists.
While the Pomeroys finished with 26 turnovers, 12 of those came in the fourth quarter as several Pomeroys saw action for the first time in their career.
SMWC hits the road for the weekend, playing in the Bevo Francis Classic at the University of Rio Grande against Webber International on Friday and Taylor University on Saturday.