This past weekend, the Saint Mary’s basketball team lost to the Calvin University Knights 70-32.
The Knights scored the first points of the first quarter but Belles junior guard Annie Restovich added a three-point shot to bring the score to 3-2. After a shooting foul on Saint Mary’s, Calvin was able to tie the score and add on another layup for themselves but Belles senior forward Julia Schutz responded with a free throw to narrow the margin to one point.
Calvin extended their lead with three layups and two free throws, pushing the score to 13-4. Freshman guard Kate Passinault responded with a free throw, followed by two more from freshman guard Ella Notaro and a layup by senior guard Lauren Gumma, narrowing the gap to 13-9. Calvin closed out the quarter with the final points, ending the first period at 16-9.
The second quarter began with both teams trading possessions before Calvin scored the first five points. The Belles answered with a three-point shot from junior guard Annie Restovich, but Calvin quickly seized momentum, going on a 12-4 run to extend their lead to 33-17.
Neither team scored during the first two minutes of the third quarter but then the Knights went on another run, this time for ten points. Saint Mary’s junior guard Nicole Connolly added on a three point shot and sophomore guard Kate Restovich added on a layup and a free throw to bring the score to 43-23. Calvin then went on a nine point run to finish the third quarter 52-23.
Calvin scored the first six points of the fourth quarter but after a shooting foul, Passinault added on two free throws to bring the score to 58-25. The Knights added on a layup but the Belles quickly responded as Kate Restovich added on a layup to bring the score to 60-27. After going back and forth with turnovers from both teams, the Knights went on another short scoring run. Gumma hit a free throw to make the score 64-28 but Calvin quickly made one of their own.
After a shooting foul on the Knights, Gumma made two free throws but a shooting foul on Saint Mary’s allowed the Knights to score again, bringing the score to 67-30. Freshman center Maria Stevens got her first two points of the night, but Calvin rounded out the fourth quarter with three points and took the 70-32 win.
Annie Restovich and Kate Passinault led the Belles’ offense, each contributing six points. Passinault also made a strong defensive impact, recording a team-high nine rebounds. The Belles will now shift their focus to their next matchup, traveling just across the street to take on Holy Cross College on Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m.
