Game Summary

WINONA, Minn. — What seemed like a fairly even first half ended in a second half dominated by the Saint Mary's University women's basketball team Monday in its 87-66 victory over Bethel University at the SMU Gymnasium.

The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference dual began with nine lead changes in the first half, with SMU (3-2 MIAC, 7-2 overall) tying the score on three occasions to hold a five-point advantage at the half, 38-33.

But a relaxed Cardinal squad took the court after halftime, displaying a calm, collective attitude to open the second half on a 19-5 run, posting 14 consecutive points to take over for the win.

“At halftime, I told them they needed to play harder — they needed to play with more focus on not just the offensive side, but the defensive side as well,” SMU coach Dan Messmann said. “When we took the floor in the second half, we were changed — we were playing with a purpose.”

A purpose to not only win, but do it with flying colors.

The Cardinals posted a 57 percent field goal shooting effort and was 58 percent from 3-point range in the second half, holding the Royals (2-2, 4-4) to a 30 percent effort inside the arch.

Usually led by senior Jamie Rattunde (Rollingstone, Minn.), who entered the game leading the Cardinals in almost every category — points (130), rebounds (65), steals (27) and assists (37) — the revamped SMU crew was directed by a variety of players, which included a team-high 19 points from Angie Arrington (Spring Grove, Minn.), 18 points and 11 rebounds from freshman Jessica Weisbrod (Rollingstone, Minn.) and Ashley Luehmann (Lewiston, Minn.) added 16 points and was 5 of 8 in 3-point attempts.

Not to mention a double-double — 12 points and 10 rebounds—from Rattunde.

“(Rattunde) is such a tremendous part of our team, but we're showing we don't have to rely on her 100 percent of the time,” Messmann said, noting his team posted 42 rebounds to Bethel's 32, and seven Cardinals tallied two or more boards on the game. “We're in a team building stage, and our success has proven that what we're doing is working.”

Three players ended in double figures for the Royals, including Jen Ahlberg with 23 points, Heather Davis with 14 points and JoLynn Thielke added 12 points.

Saint Mary's continues MIAC action Wednesday when it plays host to Gustavus Adolphus at 7:30 p.m.