SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University women's basketball team used a strong first quarter Saturday afternoon against Holy Cross College, grabbing an instant double-digit lead, on the way to a dominant 61-45 victory.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Spring Arbor 61, Holy Cross 45
LOCATION: McDonald Athletic Center | Spring Arbor, Mich.
RECORDS: Spring Arbor 2-1, Holy Cross 1-2
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Spring Arbor was 7-for-14 from the field in the first quarter while limiting Holy Cross to a dismal 2-for-15 shooting effort. Anne Marie Wright and Rachel Nelson combined for 11 points in the frame to give the Cougars a 17-6 advantage after the first 10 minutes.
- SAU led by as many as 18 in the second quarter, but Holy Cross would close out the period with five unanswered points to make it 26-13 at the break.
- The Saints closed the gap to 11, 25-15, early in the third quarter, but back-to-back baskets by Nelson and Gabby Barnett fueled an 8-0 run, and the Cougars would maintain a comfortable margin the rest of the way.
FOR THE COUGARS
- Nelson and Wright both finished with season-high point totals. Nelson dropped 19 with seven rebounds and two assists while Wright posted 18.
- Kristina Grace added six points off the bench and Barnett hauled in a career-best 10 rebounds.
- Spring Arbor shot 71 percent (12-for-17) over the final two quarters and 50 percent (23-for-46) for the game. The Cougars also went 12-for-14 from the free throw line.
- SAU out-rebounded Holy Cross 43-32.
FOR THE SAINTS
- Arielle Thatcher led the way for Holy Cross with 10 points and four steals while Keysha Streater posted nine points and nine rebounds.
- The Saints were limited to 26 percent (18-for-69) shooting on the afternoon and were just 4-for-26 from three-point range.
UP NEXT
Spring Arbor travels to the University of Michigan-Dearborn (3-0) on Wednesday, Nov. 7. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
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