The Saint Mary’s Belles basketball team its on a roll, as it picked up its second win of the week in a 66-62 victory over Alma.
Senior forward Julia Schutz started off the first quarter with 2 points, followed by a 3-point shot from sophomore guard Annie Restovich and a jump shot from sophomore guard Kate Restovich to pull the Belles ahead 7-0. Alma went on a 7-0 run to tie the score, but two jump shots from Schutz and two 3-pointers from senior guard Lauren Gumma kept the Belles ahead 17-7. Alma added five points, but another 3-pointer from freshman guard Kate Passinault and two points from Kate Restovich made the score 22-12 to end the first quarter.
Gumma started the second with a 3-point shot, followed quickly by Alma, which added seven points to bring the score to 25-19. Junior guard Nicole Connolly added a 3-pointer, but Alma took it the other way and tallied three points, making the score 28-22. Kate Restovich responded with two points before Alma put in two, bringing the score to 30-24. Annie Restovich, Schutz and Passinault would combine for 10 more Saint Mary’s points before Alma produced five to finish the second quarter with the Belles ahead 40-29.
After halftime, it was a back-and-forth battle as Annie Restovich made a 3-point shot and Kate Restovich added six points, but Alma was quick to counter with 10 points of its own, bringing the score to 49-39. Annie Restovich added three points to make the score 52-39, but five points from Alma tightened the score to 52-44. A free throw from Schutz and a layup from Passinault ended the third quarter with the Belles leading 55-44.
The fourth quarter started off strong for the Belles, as Kate Restovich added two to make the score 57-44, but Alma came back on a 5-0. Kate Restovich answered with three points and Schutz with two, but a quick three points from Alma brought the score to 62-52. Passinault made an additional free throw for Saint Mary’s, but 10 points from Alma brought the score to 63-62. In the final seconds, Kate Restovich recorded two points and freshman guard Ella Notaro added a free throw as the Belles secured a narrow 66-62 win.
Kate Restovich led the Belles on the court with 21 points, and Schutz led the team with 12 rebounds. The Belles now prepare to face Albion on Wednesday, Feb. 19, starting at 7 p.m.
