WINONA, Minn. — This afternoon, the Saint Mary's women's basketball team (3-1) delivered a big win powering past Bethany Lutheran (2-4) 97–63 at David R. Thies Arena. The Cardinals caught fire in the second half, piling up 56 points, including a 32-point third quarter, while forcing 12 steals that led to 18 points.
Saint Mary's set the tone early, attacking the basket and establishing a strong presence inside. Julia Koch's three-pointer at the 5:07 mark sparked an early push, and Brianna Nusbaum's triple late in the first quarter helped the Cardinals build a 23–16 advantage.
The momentum carried into the second quarter as Saint Mary's continued to capitalize on Bethany Lutheran turnovers and finish in transition. Nusbaum's offensive-board-and-score sequence and steady free throws from Ayla Olson extended the lead 26-18 at the 7:33 mark, while Emma Mann's fastbreak layup, set up by Lindsey Lettner, padded the cushion. Koch knocked down a running jumper in the closing seconds of the half to send the Cardinals into the locker room up 41–27.
Saint Mary's wasted no time widening the gap in the third, opening the frame with a 9–0 burst fueled by a Kali Olson layup and another Koch three.
The Cardinals locked in defensively, limiting the Vikings to a single field goal during the run. Rylie Sternquist added key buckets as Saint Mary's maintained firm control, closing the quarter with a comfortable lead.
The fourth quarter belonged entirely to the Cardinals.
Nusbaum caught fire, piling on points en route to a career-high 28, while Mann and Olson continued to attack the rim. Lettner kept the offense humming with timely assists, and the Vikings had no answer as Saint Mary's poured in 32 points in the final 10 minutes to put the finishing touches on a dominant win.
Nusbaum paced the Cardinals with 28 points on an efficient 10-for-16 shooting, including a perfect 3-for-3 from deep, while adding four steals. Koch also delivered a career best 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Olson came just shy of a double-double with 11 points, nine boards, and four assists, and Sternquist chipped in 12 points and six rebounds in a balanced, all-around effort.
The Cardinals celebrate Thanksgiving with a tournament in Platteville, Wisconsin with the first game on Saturday, November 29 against Grinnell College at 5:15 p.m. and then a game Sunday against Simpson at 3:30 p.m.
