At the Main View Tipoff Classic, Saint Mary’s earned its first win of the season by holding on to beat Manchester before losing a high-scoring affair with Oglethorpe.
The Belles’ clash with the Spartans (0-2) was tight through the first two quarters, as an early Saint Mary’s lead was quickly pegged back, and the Spartans led 14-12 at the end of the first quarter. In the second, sophomore guard Erin Maloney made one of two free throws with 13 seconds left to give the Belles (1-2) a 30-29 lead at halftime.
Although the Spartans took the lead again to start the second half, a 13-0 run started by a jumper from freshman guard Delaney Rohlman put the Belles in front, 43-34. By the end of the quarter, the Belles were still in front, now by a score of 47-43. The Spartans closed the lead to one point early in the fourth quarter, but the Belles opened it back up to 10 points thanks to a 9-0 run made up of 7 points and one assist from freshman guard Ally Steve. Although the Spartans kept the game close down the stretch, Maloney and junior forward Gabby Diamond each made both of their free throws to close out the game, 64-62.
Against the Stormy Petrals (1-2), the Belles quickly found themselves in an 8-0 hole. However, they fought their way back into the first quarter and ended it tied at 28-28 following a 3-pointer from senior guard Aspen Davis. The Belles remained close through most of the second quarter, trailing by only one with just over a minute left in the half, but four free throws saw them fall behind 53-48 at halftime.
In the second half, the Stormy Petrals continued to pull away, and led 77-66 with only one quarter remaining. That pattern continued in the fourth quarter, which the Stormy Petrals took 19-7 to seal their win, 96-73.
Diamond was named to the All-Tournament team after scoring 23 points and grabbing 11 rebounds against Manchester and recording 17 points and 6 rebounds against Oglethorpe.
