Game Summary

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — Ashley Luehmann (Lewiston, Minn.) entered this, her senior season, as a reigning, two-time Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection.

A shooting slump over the past week — eight points vs. Augsburg, zero points in 10 minutes vs. Macalester and six points against Concordia — however, had left the Cardinals' sharpshooter looking nothing like an all-conference performer.

Fortunately for the Cardinals, that all changed Wednesday, as Luehmann returned to her old self, netting a game-high 24 points in leading the Cardinals to a key 64-62 MIAC win over the Royals.

"Ashley had a great game — more like the senior, two-time all-conference player we've been accustomed to seeing," said SMU coach Dan Messmann, whose team posted its second two-point win over the Royals, having edged Bethel 75-73 in overtime on Jan. 2. "She's been struggling lately, but tonight she was much more relaxed and just went out and played the way she is capable."

Luehmann's performance, which included a 9-for-11 performance from the field — not to mention a perfect 5-for-5 effort from behind the 3-point line — certainly gave the SMU senior center stage, but the Cardinals' win wasn't a one-woman act.

Alyse Coates (West St. Paul, Minn.) chipped in 12 points and Jessica Weisbrod (Rollingstone, Minn.) posted her second double-figure rebound performance, pulling down 11 boards.

The Cardinals jumped out to an eight-point, 35-27 lead at the break, thanks in large part to a 65 percent shooting effort from the field (15 of 23) — including Luehmann knocking down all four of her 3-pointers en route to 14 first-half points.

The Royals turned that eight-point halftime deficit into a one-point lead on two separate occasions in the second half — the second a 52-51 advantage with just over five minutes remaining in regulation — only to have the Cardinals take the lead for good on a 3-pointer from Calla Swenson (Blooming Prairie, Minn.).

"This was a big win for us," said Messmann, whose team improved to 5-9 in the MIAC — and kept the Cardinals' slim MIAC playoff hopes alive. "(Assistant coach) Ray (Winter) keeps reminding me (about the playoff picture), I haven't really given it much thought.

"But wins like these certainly help our chances — but we're going to have to string some (wins) together if we're going to make any sort of run."