Saint Mary’s College basketball came up short Wednesday night, falling 58–53 to Kalamazoo College in a closely contested Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) matchup.
The Belles (7–14, 2–10 MIAA) led at halftime and stayed competitive throughout the night, but offensive struggles in the fourth quarter allowed Kalamazoo (6–14, 5–6 MIAA) to pull ahead late and secure the win.
Both teams opened the game cautiously, trading early possessions without much scoring. Saint Mary’s found its footing midway through the first quarter, using defensive pressure to create momentum. A 10–2 run helped the Belles take control, and they closed the quarter with a 16–11 lead. Senior forward Hannah Outlaw set the tone early, scoring seven points in the opening period as Saint Mary’s forced Kalamazoo into eight turnovers.
That defensive energy carried into the second quarter. Saint Mary’s continued to disrupt Kalamazoo’s offense, but the Hornets responded with a 13–2 run to briefly swing the momentum. The Belles regrouped after a timeout and finished the half strong, retaking the lead and heading into the locker room up 29–27. By halftime, Saint Mary’s had forced 15 turnovers, with senior and sophomore guards Nicole Connolly and Ella Andree each recording multiple steals.
The third quarter remained tight from start to finish. Kalamazoo opened the half aggressively and regained the lead, but Saint Mary’s answered quickly. The teams traded baskets for much of the quarter, and neither side could create separation. As the quarter ended, the score was tied at 42, setting up a back-and-forth final stretch.
Saint Mary’s struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the fourth quarter, while Kalamazoo capitalized on second-chance opportunities. The Hornets’ rebounding advantage proved to be a key factor late, as they were able to control the glass and limit Saint Mary’s scoring chances down the stretch.
Despite the loss, several Belles turned in strong performances. Andree led Saint Mary’s with a career-high 11 points, seven rebounds, and a game-high five steals. Outlaw also finished with 11 points and added six rebounds. Sophomore guard Ella Notaro contributed nine points, while freshman Liv Fry made an impact off the bench with seven rebounds. Connolly and Fry each added three steals as part of a defensive effort that kept the Belles in the game.
Saint Mary’s finished the night forcing 25 turnovers and winning the turnover battle by double digits, but shot under 30% from the field and was out-rebounded 46–35, which ultimately made the difference.
The Belles will look to regroup as they return home next week. Saint Mary’s hosts Trine University on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m., before traveling to Alma College on Sunday, Feb. 15.
