DE PERE, Wis. — After holding their opponent to single-digit points in three quarters, the Carthage women's basketball team picked up a win over St. Mary's College on Saturday at the Mulva Family Fitness and Sports Center.

While the Belles (0-3) scored the first points of the game, the Firebirds (2-2) responded with a layup by Lauren Knight and jumper from Kelsey Coshun. The two teams traded scores throughout the first period, but it was St. Mary's that owned the lead 13-10 at the end of the first 10 minutes of play.

A three-point play with a layup and free throw by Coshun tied the game at 15, before a steal and layup from the senior forward put the Firebirds up by two. While the Belles hit a three pointer to retake the lead, the final five minutes of the first half belonged to Carthage, as they closed it out with an 11-0 run. Addison Ebeling would hit a three with 30 seconds left to cap off the run, and set the halftime score at 28-18 in favor of the Firebirds.

After outscoring them 18-5 in the second quarter, Carthage came back in the third and outscored the Belles 16-8, taking an 18-point advantage into the final 10 minutes. The Firebirds would hold on for their second win in the early 2021-22 season.

Carthage returns home next week and hosts Wisconsin Lutheran on Wednesday, November 17 at 7 p.m. in Tarble Arena.
 

Head Coach Tim Bernero

"We needed a win today, and the team did a nice job to make that happen. We were disappointed we couldn't get two wins this weekend, but we're happy to win today. We opened the season with four games in eight days and we've learned some things about ourselves, but there are some things we are still figuring out. We have room to grow and get better before the conference games start in a few weeks."
 

Quick Facts

• The Carthage defense shined this weekend, as their 10 steals tonight gives them 17 to go with two blocks in their two games at the St. Norbert College tournament.
• The Firebirds held St. Mary's College to 26.1% from the field today, highlighted by a stifling 1-12 (8.3%) defensive showing in the fourth quarter.
• With a three pointer in three of the Firebirds' four games this season, Ayanna Ester has connected from deep in 12 of the last 18 games over the last two years, with a total of 23.

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