WINONA, Minn. — In dramatic fashion, the Saint Mary's women's basketball team (11-2, 5-1 MIAC) delivered a statement win on Saturday, knocking off nationally ranked No. 25 Concordia-Moorhead (11-2, 5-1 MIAC), 63–51, at a buzzing David R. Thies Arena.
The Cardinals seized control after halftime and never let go, using relentless defensive pressure and a dominant inside presence to pull away from the Cobbers.
Saint Mary's turned defense into offense all afternoon, forcing 22 Concordia turnovers and converting them into 19 points. The Cardinals also owned the paint, scoring 40 points down low, while their 16 steals consistently disrupted the Cobbers' rhythm and silenced any comeback hopes.
The tone was set early as the Cardinals swarmed defensively, forcing 11 turnovers in the opening quarter alone. Ayla Olson sparked the home crowd with a fast-break layup at 6:02 to tie the game, and Brianna Nusbaum followed with a triple to swing momentum Saint Mary's way.
Even after Concordia struck first, the Cardinals capitalized on mistakes and edged ahead 9–7 by the end of the opening frame.
The second quarter unfolded as a defensive chess match, with Saint Mary's continuing to apply pressure. Kali Olson picked off a pass at 9:47 and finished a jumper, assisted by Ayla Olson, to push the Cardinals in front. After several lead changes, Sternquist drilled a clutch three at 3:39, and Koch's late layup with 22 seconds remaining sent Saint Mary's into the locker room with a slim 22–21 halftime lead.
The Cardinals made their move in the third quarter.
Saint Mary's imposed its will in the paint, scoring 16 of its 19 points inside. Kali Olson opened the scoring with a jumper and followed with a layup off her sister Ayla Olson's assist, extending the lead. Ayla Olson stayed aggressive, attacking the basket and keeping the pressure on, while Nusbaum added fuel with a steal and fast-break finish at 5:33.
Concordia briefly answered with a three, but Saint Mary's closed the quarter firmly in control, leading 41–34.
Any doubt was erased early in the fourth. The Cardinals opened the final period on a decisive 6–0 run, highlighted by Ayla Olson's three-pointer at 8:47, set up by Kali Olson, to stretch the lead to eight.
Nusbaum and Koch added timely baskets, including Koch's three at 6:26, as Saint Mary's continued to widen the gap. The Cardinals matched every Cobber push and closed the door with a strong 22-point fourth quarter to seal the 63–51 victory.
Ayla Olson paced the offense with 18 points and three steals, while Koch added 11 points and six rebounds. Kali Olson stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, five steals, and three blocks, anchoring a defensive effort that powered one of the Cardinals' biggest wins of the season.
The Cardinals will celebrate this win before turning their attention to their next league matchup hosting Augsburg for a 7:00 p.m. tip off on Wednesday. Jan. 14.
