After three consecutive losses, the Saint Mary’s basketball team hosted Adrian Wednesday and came out on top with a 63-53 win. The Belles moved to 7-11 with the victory and 2-7 in conference play.
Both teams had a strong showing on offense, but Saint Mary’s attack reigned supreme on its home court, especially in the second quarter. Junior guard Kate Restovich, freshman guard Liv Fry and junior guard Annie Restovich each tallied 11 points for the Belles.
Adrian kicked things off with an early bucket, but Saint Mary’s was quick to react as sophomore guard Ella Notaro took the ball into the paint off a turnover. Annie Restovich connected on a triple to give the Belles the lead midway through the quarter, and after no score from either team for around two minutes, sophomore guard Ella Andree sunk another layup to extend their lead.
Saint Mary’s broke the first quarter tie with five quick points at the onset of the second. The Belles offense made their strongest push during the frame, scoring 21 points to open a nine-point halftime advantage. Adrian struggled to break down the aggressive Belles defense as it only went 4-13 from the field, 1-4 from the arc and 2-4 on free throws.
Adrian continued to attempt a comeback, but a layup from Belles sophomore guard Kate Passinault, a layup and 3-point shot from Annie Restovich and two free throws each from Andree and Kate Restovich extended the Belles lead to a significant 46-30 edge.
The Belles defense continued their lockdown effort in the third quarter as they held the Adrian offense to a 33% shooting from the floor.
Throughout the fourth quarter, Fry impacted both ends of the court, bringing home 11 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals. Although struggling from the foul line, sinking just 19 of 34 attempts, the Belles heated up from deep, sinking nearly 50% of their attempt with a 6-13 clip. Saint Mary’s also countered its 18 turnovers by corralling 12 steals on the defensive end.
Albion
The upcoming game marks the second meeting between the two teams this season, as the Brits slipped past the Belles with a 65-63 victory on Jan. 10.
Albion displayed more aggressive play in the paint during the first meeting, while Saint Mary’s displayed a greater perimeter presence.
Albion comes in 12-5 on its season and 5-3 in conference play with its most recent outing an impressive 81-61 win over Alma College, a team which Saint Mary’s lost 73-63 to on Jan. 14. Saturday’s contest constitutes the Belles’ Senior Day, with pregame festivities taking place prior to a 1 p.m. tip-off inside the Angela Athletics & Wellness Complex.
