The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College women's basketball team dropped a hard-fought home contest Wednesday evening, falling 74–66 to East-West University inside the Knoerle Center. Despite a fast start and four players scoring in double figures, the Pomeroys were unable to slow down the Phantoms' third-quarter surge.

SMWC (0–9) opened the game with one of its strongest quarters of the season, shooting 46 percent and building an early 22–15 lead. The Pomeroys carried a 40–35 advantage into halftime, but East-West responded with a decisive 28-15 third period behind efficient shooting from long range. The Phantoms shot 66.7 percent from the field in the quarter and never trailed again.

Haley Polston led SMWC with 16 points on 6-for-13 shooting, including three made threes, while adding seven rebounds. Jonnaya Harris followed with 14 points, four rebounds and a team-high six assists. Abigail Parker added 13 points, four assists and five steals, and Samara Douglas posted a near double-double with five points and 11 rebounds.

East-West (3–4) was paced by a balanced scoring effort, with Arianna Castro, Nyla Liberty, Kendra Hatley and Mua'Lyla Green each finishing with 16 or more points. The Phantoms shot 45.9 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three.

SMWC won the rebounding battle 41–37 and forced 19 turnovers but was hurt by East-West's 21 points off Pomeroy miscues and an 8-for-18 mark from beyond the arc.

Up Next
The Pomeroys return to action on Saturday, December 13, traveling to Alice Lloyd (Ky.) for a Noon (ET) tipoff.