MOORHEAD, Minn. - On Saturday afternoon, the Saint Mary's women's basketball team (4-6) opened up 2025 traveling to Concordia College (6-5) to face the Cobbers in their first round of conference action. The Cardinals came up victorious on the road 63-58 with a huge come from behind win.
 
Kali Olson led the way for the Cardinals recording a double-double with 18 points and 18 rebounds to cap her career. Brianna Nusbaum also recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds in the victory. Breacia Carter and Tessa McMahon each recorded career highs in points with nine each.
 
The Cardinals got off to a slow start as the Cobbers jumped out to an 8-0 lead, capitalizing on two early turnovers. Julia Koch scored the first basket for her team at the seven-minute mark, sparking a rally as Olson followed with a layup. On the next possession, Koch knocked down a three-pointer to bring the Cardinals within five, 10-5.
 
McMahon knocked down a three-pointer, marking her first points as a Cardinal since returning from injury, and Rylie Sternquist added another three to pull within four with three minutes remaining in the first quarter, 19-15.
 
The Cardinals held the Cobbers scoreless in the final minutes of the quarter, closing the gap to just two points as they finished the period trailing 21-19.
 
The teams traded early baskets, and the Cardinals eventually took their first lead of the game, 25-23, after a steal and a layup from Carter put them ahead.
 
Saint Mary's went cold in the final five minutes of the first half, scoring only five points, while Concordia extended their lead to 11 points, the largest of the game, heading into the break at 41-30.
 
Nusbaum hit her second three-pointer and a breakaway layup, while Olson sank three free throws, helping the Cardinals close the gap to just one at 41-40 with five minutes remaining in the third quarter.
 
The Cardinals and Cobbers both went scoreless for four minutes, unable to find the basket. Olson broke the drought with a layup, and Carter capped the quarter with a crucial three-pointer off an offensive rebound by Olson, pulling the Cardinals within four at 51-47 heading into the final period.
 
The Cardinals came out with energy in the final minutes. Nusbaum opened the scoring with a three-pointer, and Carter followed with a layup, giving the Cardinals their first lead of the game, 54-51, with six minutes remaining.
 
Olson went on a personal 5-0 run, sinking three free throws and adding a layup, to maintain a three-point lead with two minutes remaining, 59-56. McMahon was vital in the final moments, sinking four free throws to push the lead to two possessions with 10 seconds left to seal the deal for the Cardinals second win in conference action!
 
The Cardinals will return to the hardwood on Wednesday, January 8th for a 7:30 p.m. tip off at Augsburg.