WINONA, Minn. — It was quite the thriller in the David R. Thies Arena today. The Saint Mary's women's basketball team (7-1, 2-0) powered past Gustavus Adolphus (4-2, 1-1) earning an 83–73 double overtime win and defeating the Gusties for the first time since the 2021-22 season!

The Cardinals sealed the victory at the free-throw line, knocking down 23 of 32 attempts, and took full advantage of the Gusties' 28 turnovers, turning them into 25 points. 

With 12 ties and 14 lead changes, the matchup was close from start to finish.

Saint Mary's set the tone early. Just 16 seconds into the game, Kali Olson scored off a feed from Brianna Nusbaum, and the Cardinals continued to own the paint throughout the quarter. 

Ayla Olson's three at 6:05 pushed the Cardinals ahead 9–6, and Julia Koch followed with a layup to widen the margin. Late buckets from Rylie Sternquist and Nusbaum kept Saint Mary's in control, sending them into the second quarter with a 19–15 lead.

The Cardinals' defense stepped up in the second, forcing six steals and keeping the Gusties off balance. Nusbaum sparked the offense with a fast-break layup early in the frame and later completed a three-point play to stretch the lead. 

Gustavus made small pushes, but Saint Mary's held firm and went into halftime ahead 31–25.

The Gusties responded in the third quarter, turning up the defensive pressure and limiting the Cardinals to just one made field goal. Koch briefly put Saint Mary's back in front with a layup and free throws to make it 36–34, but Gustavus closed the quarter on a strong run. 

The surge gave the Gusties a 44–36 lead heading into the fourth.

Saint Mary's wasn't done. 

The Cardinals stormed back in the fourth quarter, attacking the paint and locking in on the defensive end. A steal from Nusbaum set up Hadley Sammons' game-tying layup at 8:51, and Koch later broke a tie with a layup at 2:45. 

With 52 seconds left, Nusbaum drilled a clutch three to tie the game at 58, and the defense held on to force overtime with the score knotted at 58–58. 

The momentum swings continued into the first overtime. Ayla Olson hit a key layup with 45 seconds remaining to bring the Cardinals within one, and after a timeout with 20 seconds left, Nusbaum converted a layup to tie it again at 69–69 and send the game into another overtime.

Saint Mary's finally created separation in the second overtime. 

Koch buried a three at 3:30 to put the Cardinals up 72–69, and Ayla Olson added another layup moments later to extend the lead. Nusbaum helped slam the door with tough rebounds and four straight free throws in the final minute, cementing the 83–73 win.

Nusbaum led all scorers with 24 points and added five steals, putting her two-way impact on full display. Koch followed with 19 points and five assists, while Ayla Olson nearly recorded a double-double with 18 points and nine boards. Sammons chipped in defensively with three steals.

With the win, the Cardinals 7-1 overall record is the best start to a season since the 2015-16 season where the Cardinals went 21-6 and went to the conference championship.

The Cardinals will celebrate this win before their next conference matchup, hosting Hamline on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 7:00 p.m.