Game Summary

ST. PETER, Minn. — Entering Saturday's game against Gustavus, Saint Mary's University's Ashley Luehmann (Lewiston, Minn.) needed only three points to eclipse 1,000 points in her collegiate women's basketball career, and after a successful 3-pointer with eight minutes left in the first half, Luehmann reached that milestone.

Yet, it wasn't the three that got her to 1,000 that Luehmann will remember — it's the three she nailed with 18 seconds remaining in regulation that clinched the Cardinals' 61-55 win over the Gusties.

"That was a big, big win," said SMU coach Dan Messmann, whose team is now two games up on the Gusties in the loss column as the two teams battle for one of the two remaining MIAC home playoff berths. "It's always tough to go there and play — it's one of the toughest places in the conference to play. There was a lot at stake and everyone was really focused on getting the job done."

And get it done they did.

Gustavus (10-6, 12-7) pulled within one point twice in the last five minutes of regulation, but Luehmann's 3-pointer with 18 seconds left in regulation — giving her a team-high 20 points — secured the SMU victory.

"I'm proud of Ashley, to get 1,000 points as a junior is a great accomplishment," said Messmann, whose team now travels to St. Benedict for another crucial conference game on Monday. "Ashley's worked very hard to improve her game and that hard work is paying off. She had a great game tonight — and came up with the clutch shot when we needed it most."

Luehmann ended 8 of 10 from behind the free throw line in her team-leading 20 points, while Jamie Rattunde (Rollingstone, Minn.) posted a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds and Angie Arrington (Spring Grove, Minn.) added 11 points in the victory.