SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind. — The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College's women's basketball team was edged by visiting Brescia (Ky.) in a 68-64 defeat on Tuesday, February 4, inside Knoerle Center. With the loss, the Pomeroys dropped to 12-10 overall and 5-6 in River States Conference play.
The game saw the Pomeroys and Bearcats trade leads throughout, with Saint Mary-of-the-Woods holding a slim 15-14 edge after the first quarter. However, Brescia (Ky.) surged ahead in the second period, outscoring the Pomeroys 21-12 to take a 35-27 lead at halftime. SMWC responded in the third quarter with a 26-point effort, but Brescia regained control in the final frame, holding off the Pomeroys for the win.
Madison Fueger led the way for the Pomeroys, scoring a team-high 17 points and pulling down three rebounds in 38 minutes of play.
Destiny Thomas provided a solid offensive boost off the bench, contributing 14 points and six rebounds.
Despite strong performances from Fueger, Risley, and Thomas, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods struggled with shooting consistency, particularly from three-point range, where they shot just 18.8% (3-of-16). Brescia capitalized on its shooting efficiency, particularly in the first half, where they posted a 39.7% field goal percentage.
The Pomeroys were also hampered by turnovers, with 16 giveaways compared to Brescia's nine. While SMWC dominated on the boards, holding a 38-26 rebounding advantage, they were unable to convert enough second-chance opportunities to overcome the Bearcats.
The Pomeroys began the second half down 35-27, but a fast-paced third quarter saw them cut into Brescia's lead. Early in the period, Brescia extended its lead to 37-27 after a jumper from Cassidy Morris. However, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods responded with a quick 5-0 run, capped by a layup from
Diamond Bryant, which narrowed the score to 37-32.
Graci Risley made a timely three-pointer to give Brescia a 40-30 advantage, but the Pomeroys didn't back down. Bryant, who was a major factor in the period, scored a layup and hit a free throw to cut the deficit further.
Madison Fueger added a jumper to pull Saint Mary-of-the-Woods to within four, 43-39.
With less than three minutes remaining in the third,
Irye Gomez drained a critical three-pointer, reducing the Bearcats' lead to just one point at 45-44. But Brescia answered quickly, as Brooklyn Stewart converted a layup and Morris added two free throws to make it 51-46 with under a minute to play.
Gomez kept the Pomeroys within striking distance, hitting another layup in the closing seconds to make it 51-49, as the teams headed into the fourth quarter.
The Pomeroys came out strong in the fourth, with Fueger scoring a layup to give Saint Mary-of-the-Woods a 55-53 lead early in the period. However, Brescia answered right back as Shelbie Beatty hit a three-pointer to give the Bearcats a 56-55 lead. The teams traded the lead throughout the quarter, with
Destiny Thomas and
Abby Worley both coming up with timely buckets for the Pomeroys.
With under four minutes to play, Brescia led 62-60 after a jump shot by Thomas, but Genesis Ghide-Bryan made a strong move to score a layup for Brescia, putting them up 61-60. Caroline Lucas then hit another layup for Brescia, giving them a 63-62 advantage, but a clutch jumper by Thomas regained the lead for the Pomeroys at 64-63.
The game saw intense back-and-forth action in the final minutes, with both teams struggling to convert offensively. Brescia's defense stood firm, and with the score tied at 64-64 in the closing seconds, Cassidy Morris hit two crucial free throws to give Brescia a 66-64 lead with just 3 seconds remaining.
SMWC had one last chance, but a missed three-pointer by
Irye Gomez sealed the Bearcats' victory as Morris tacked on another free throw to extend the lead to 68-64.
The Pomeroys will look to bounce back when they return to action on Thursday, February 6, for a non-conference matchup with Ohio Christian University. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. (ET) inside Knoerle Center.
