WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's women's basketball team put on a complete performance Saturday evening at David R. Thies Arena for a Night in the Nest, rolling past St. Olaf (5-11, 0-9) 81–45 behind relentless defense and balanced scoring. The Cardinals (13-3, 7-2 MIAC) turned defense into offense all day, scoring 32 points off Ole turnovers to pull away early and never look back.
Ayla Olson led the charge with 21 points on an efficient 7-of-9 shooting night, while also picking up four steals. Brianna Nusbaum added 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting and matched Olson with four steals of her own. Rylie Sternquist chipped in 16 points and was steady at the line, knocking down 8 of 12 free throws.
Saint Mary's set the tone immediately, forcing nine turnovers in the opening quarter and holding the Oles to just seven points. Nusbaum sparked an early run with a three-pointer at the 6:30 mark, then finished a fast break moments later to help push the Cardinals in front.
Olson controlled the glass and added key free throws as Saint Mary's closed the quarter with a 16–7 lead.
The momentum carried into the second quarter, where the Cardinals found their offensive rhythm. Olson ignited a 13-0 run with a layup at 8:27 and capped it with a three-pointer at 6:14 off a pass from Emma Mann. Saint Mary's shot 8-of-10 from the floor in the quarter and went into halftime comfortably ahead, 36–20.
The third quarter proved decisive as the Cardinals overwhelmed the Oles with a 25–11 scoring advantage. Sternquist was active on both ends, scoring from the line and finishing inside, while Mann added a fast-break layup set up by Olson.
Saint Mary's defense remained locked in, forcing seven more turnovers and converting them into easy points to stretch the lead to 61–31.
Saint Mary's never eased up in the final quarter.
Sternquist opened the scoring with a layup, followed by a Nusbaum three-pointer to keep the pressure on. Ingrid Beaumont added a basket midway through the quarter, and Jaiden Thompson capped the scoring with a late three.
The Cardinals dominated the boards in the final frame, outrebounding St. Olaf 14–4, and closed out the game with an emphatic 81–45 win.
The energy was felt and now the Cardinal look ahead to another conference matchup this Saturday hosting the Bennies of Saint Benedict for a 1:00 p.m. game time for Alumni Day.
