ST. PAUL, Minn. — Jenny Gilles (Keizer, Ore.) scored a game-high 19 points and the Saint Mary's University women's basketball team erupted for 50 second-half points as the Cardinals inched closer to anMIAC post-season tournament berth with an 80-66 MIAC victory over Macalester Wednesday evening.

After struggling from the field in the first half, when SMU hit just 9 of 24 field goal attempts (37 percent) in falling behind 31-30 at the intermission, the Cardinals hit 58 percent of its field goal attempts in the second half (15-for-26) — and nailed 17 of 22 free throws — en route to their second straight win.

Alissa Erichsen (Spring Valley, Minn.) and Jaimie Lee (Woodbury, Minn.) also scored in double figures for the Cardinals (10-10 MIAC, 11-12 overall), finishing with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Afton Hanson led the way for Macalester, scoring 18 points, while Emily Koller chipped in 15 and Sarah Hesch tallied a game-high 10 rebounds.