William Jewell boxscore in PDF

Alex Hillyer scored 19 points to help the Maryville women's basketball team post a 79-75 victory at William Jewell in the first round of the 2015 Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament. The Saints, who were the No. 10 seed upset the No. 7 Cardinals, and have advanced to take on No. 2 Lewis Friday, March 6, at Family Arena in St. Charles. Game time will be announced later.

The Cardinals hit a 3-pointer but Carly Frala answered with a 3-pointer, and Ali Ringering's layup gave the Saints a lead they would not surrender the rest of the afternoon. Shelby Miller's hoop closed Maryville's 7-0 run. The Saints led 12-9 before Rita Flynn's layup, a jumper by Frala and a layup by Miller pushed the Saints ahead 18-9. Maryville held the lead at 28-23 until Miller drained a jumper and two Hillyer free throws built a 32-23 lead. The Saints took their biggest lead of the half at 36-25 but WJC trimmed the deficit to 46-41 by halftime.

Maryville led 48-45 before stretching its lead back out. Flynn nailed a jumper and Ringering followed. Another hoop by Flynn gave the Saints a 54-45 advantage five minutes into the second half. Ringering's triple pushed Maryville up 60-50. Later, the Saints grabbed their biggest lead of the second half at 69-58 with 9:01 to play after two Frala free throws. The Cardinals chipped away at their deficit and used an 11-2 run to close the gap to 71-69.

Miller hit two free throws with 42 seconds to play but Aerial Smith answered for WJC. Ringering sank two at the stripe but again WJC responded with a hoop with 23 seconds remaining. Maryville put the game away as Frala and Miller both hit two free throws apiece in the waning seconds as the Saints held on for the thrilling victory.

Hillyer's 19 points led five Saints in double figure scoring. Ringering had 15 points, while Miller and Flynn both finished with 13 points. Frala chipped in 12 points, while Jade Rogers posted a team-high 11 rebounds.

The Saints improve to 15-13 on the season to clinch a winning campaign. Aerial Smith led William Jewell (15-12) with 25 points and 12 rebounds.