PLATTEVILLE, Wis. — The Saint Mary's women's basketball team (5-1) kept its offensive momentum rolling on Sunday, battling back to defeat Simpson (2-3) 76–70 to conclude the Marc Heidorf Memorial Classic. The Cardinals, who average a conference-best 78.2 points per game, erupted for a game-changing 31-point third quarter to erase a halftime deficit and take control down the stretch.
Saint Mary's dominated the interior with 36 points in the paint and turned hustle plays into production, scoring 16 second-chance points off offensive rebounds.
The Cardinals came out aggressive from the opening tip, taking an early lead after a Kali Olson free throw just 27 seconds in. Rylie Sternquist and Olson kept the pressure on inside, while a Lindsey Lettner three, set up by a smooth dish from Hadley Sammons, briefly put Saint Mary's ahead.
Simpson closed the quarter with a deep three at the buzzer, grabbing a 17–14 edge after one.
Saint Mary's tightened things up defensively in the second. Lettner drilled another three with just over a minute left to cut the deficit to two, and Ayla Olson provided a spark with tough rebounding and a key steal.
The Cardinals outscored Simpson 11–10 in the frame and went into halftime trailing just 27–25.
The third quarter belonged entirely to Saint Mary's.
Sternquist tied the game with a layup, Ayla Olson buried a three to even things up again shortly after, and Sternquist followed with a go-ahead triple that lit up the bench. From there, the Cardinals were rolling and sharing the ball, finishing through contact, and piling up stops on the defensive end. They outscored Simpson 31–19 in the period to take command.
Saint Mary's kept the momentum through the final quarter, relying on clutch free throws and offensive rebounds to maintain the lead. Ayla Olson knocked down a jumper and key free throws midway through the frame as the Cardinals closed it out at the line to secure the 76–70 victory.
Sternquist led the Cardinals with 26 points, which marked her career best, and three assists. The Olson sisters delivered huge double-double performances as Ayla Olson had 14 points, 15 boards, and two steals while Kali Olson added 15 points, 14 rebounds, three steals, and a block. Lettner finished with eight points and six assists, including two threes.
The Cardinals now turn to the start of conference play as the team hosts Carleton College on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 7:00 p.m.
