WINONA, Minn. — A 50-piece first half sealed a big home win for the Saint Mary's women's basketball team (12-2, 6-1) as they put together a dominant, all-around performance Wednesday, rolling past the Augsburg Auggies (5-9, 2-5) 89–40 for its largest win of the season.
The Cardinals were relentless on defense, forcing 25 turnovers and turning them into 40 points, while owning the paint with a 40–12 scoring edge inside.
Rylie Sternquist led the way with 17 points on an efficient 7-of-11 shooting night, adding six rebounds. Kali Olson followed with 15 points, a perfect 3-for-3 showing at the free-throw line, and nine rebounds. Ayla Olson filled the stat sheet with 11 points, six assists, and five boards, while Lindsey Lettner knocked down both of her three-point attempts, finishing with eight points and five assists.
The list could go on as every single Cardinal on the team that was suited up to play scored!
The Cardinals wasted no time setting the tone, literally. An administrator technical was given to the Auggies before a second could tick off the clock and the Cardinals were on the board with a Brianna Nusbaum technical free-throw.
After opening the scoring at the line, Sternquist buried a three just 14 seconds into the game, and Lettner followed with a fast-break triple to make it 7–0 less than a minute in. Saint Mary's defense immediately went to work, forcing turnovers and converting them into easy points, including a layup by Kali Olson during a 14-point surge off miscues.
Augsburg struggled to find any rhythm, and the Cardinals closed the first quarter with a commanding 29–14 lead.
Saint Mary's turned up the pressure in the second quarter. Ayla Olson ignited a 7–0 run with back-to-back steals and layups, sparking another wave of points off turnovers. Nusbaum added two three-pointers, and the Cardinals continued to capitalize on Augsburg mistakes, forcing eight more turnovers in the period.
By halftime, Saint Mary's had built a 53–24 advantage.
The Cardinals stayed firmly in control after the break, attacking the paint and getting to the free-throw line in the third quarter. A defensive rebound and jumper by Olson midway through the period pushed the lead even further, and despite a few scoring bursts from the Auggies, Saint Mary's carried a 68–36 lead into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter followed the same script.
Sternquist opened the scoring with a layup, and an 8–0 run capped by Jaiden Thompson's fast-break finish stretched the lead to overwhelming proportions. Ingrid Beaumont added a late three-pointer as the Cardinals outscored Augsburg 20–4 in the final frame, sealing an emphatic 89–40 win.
It was an electric night at home as the only home basketball game of the week. The Cardinals will look to travel to St. Catherine this Saturday for a 1:00 p.m. tip off.
