SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind. — Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College women's basketball battled back from an early deficit but could not complete the comeback Friday night, falling 73-62 to Ohio Christian University in the 2026-27 season opener at the Knoerle Center.
Deziree' Bryant led the Pomeroys (0-1) with 14 points and seven assists, while
Samara Douglas added 10 points and eight rebounds.
Talyssa Moody and
Aubrey Ervin contributed eight points apiece, with Ervin also collecting eight rebounds.
Ohio Christian (1-0) jumped out to a 24-11 advantage after the opening quarter and stretched its lead to 34-17 midway through the second period. The Pomeroys responded with a 12-0 run, fueled by baskets from Douglas, Ervin and
Confidence Nwachukwu, trimming the deficit to five before heading into halftime trailing 38-31.
SMWC continued its comeback in the third quarter, pulling within 49-48 following a Bryant layup with 1:25 remaining. However, Ohio Christian's Giselle Griego knocked down consecutive 3-pointers to close the period, pushing the Trailblazers' lead to 55-48 entering the fourth.
Ohio Christian extended its advantage early in the final quarter, and despite late baskets from
Tatyana Bailey, Bryant and Moody, the Pomeroys could not close the gap.
SMWC held a 52-47 rebounding advantage, including 20 offensive boards, and outscored the Trailblazers 44-32 in the paint. However, the Pomeroys struggled from the field, shooting 33.3% overall and 44.4% from the free-throw line.
Jordyn Smoot paced Ohio Christian with a game-high 28 points and 12 rebounds, while Griego added 16 points, including four 3-pointers.
Up Next: Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College returns to action Thursday, Oct. 29, traveling to University Park, Illinois, to face Governors State University. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.
