Box Score Abby Duethman poured in a career-high 27 points as Maryville posted its largest comeback win of the season 76-69 at Illinois-Springfield Thursday evening. The Saints trailed by as many as 10 points before rallying for their fourth straight triumph in Great Lakes Valley Conference action.
 
The Saints surged into an early lead with a 7-0 burst. Rita Flynn scored inside, and Duethman added a jumper and 3-pointer for an 11-4 advantage. Later Alissa Oney’s shot from beyond the arc put Maryville on top 14-7, but the Prairie Stars scored seven straight to tie the game. The contest went back and forth as the squads traded the lead 10 times. The Saints led 28-26 with six minutes left in the first half before UIS scored 14 of the next 16 points to build a 40-30 lead. The Saints were down 42-34 at halftime.
 
Maryville opened the second half with four straight points on two free throws by Shelby Miller and a hoop by Duethman. Down 50-44, Oney and Duethman connected on consecutive 3-pointers as the Saints forged a 50-50 tie at the 13:42 mark. Oney drilled another shot from downtown to push Maryville out front 53-50. UIS would not let the Saints build a bigger lead, and the home team rebuilt a 61-57 lead with eight minutes to play. The Saints answered with a 7-0 to take a lead they would not surrender the rest of the way. Flynn scored inside, and Duethman forced a 61-61 tie at the 6:03 mark.
 
Miller then took over for Maryville with eight straight points. The freshman drained a 3-pointer for a 64-61 lead. UIS scored a bucket, but Miller stuck another trey for a 67-63 cushion with 3:56 remaining. UIS hit a 3-pointer before Miller answered with two free throws and a 69-66 lead. In the final minute, Duethman added two more from the stripe and a 71-66 advantage. UIS closed the gap with a 3-pointer, but Duethman answered with a trey for a 74-69 lead with 27 seconds to play. UIS missed on its next trip, and Miller closed out the game with two free throws with 13 ticks left on the clock.
 
Duethman hit 9-of-15 from the field, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range. Miller finished with 16 points, hit all six free throws and tied for the team lead with seven rebounds. Oney had 11 points, including three 3-pointers, and Flynn added 10 points. JoAnn Thompson handed out a career-best nine assists. Carly Goede led four UIS (8-10, 3-6 GLVC) players in double figures with 17 points.
 
The Saints won their fourth straight game and improve to 10-8, 6-4 in the GLVC. Maryville returns home Saturday to host Quincy in a 1 p.m. game at Moloney Arena.