St. Louis, Mo. – The Maryville women's basketball team put on a dominating defensive performance with a 70-40 triumph over McKendree. The Saints limited the Bearcats to just 24.5 percent shooting, including a scant 18.2 percent in the second quarter. Antoinette Mussorici led Maryville with 13 points, while Rylee Mulvaney added 12 points. Maddy Meehan hauled down a career-high 11 rebounds.
 
What Happened:
The Saints were up 13-10 in the first quarter before scoring the final seven points. Olivia Kastens drained a 3-pointer, and Taylor Kirby scored inside. Carsyn Fearday sank a long jumper for a 20-10 lead. Mussorici scored five points to open the second and forced a McKendree timeout at 25-10. The Maryville margin stood at 29-17 until closing the quarter on a 10-2 burst. Kirby powered up for a layup, and Abby Weis scored in the lane. McKendree made one free throw before Meehan scored back-to-back buckets. The Bearcats sank one more at the line but Mussorici drilled a jumper for a 39-19 lead at the half. Maryville's defense only allowed the Bearcats to hit 2-of-11 shots, while converting at a 57.1 percent clip themselves.
 
Leading 41-22, the Saints reeled off a 10-0 burst to put the game away. Mussorici made one free throw, and Kirby grabbed an offensive board for a put back. Kastens scored in the lane, and Meehan collected a carom and a layup. Mussorici splashed in a triple to cap the spree. After one McKendree free throw, Mulvaney drilled a 3-pointer and a layup as the Saints took their largest lead of the night at 56-23. The Saints gave up just three field goals in the quarter. The lead never dipped below 25 as the Saints cruised to the victory. The Maryville defense only gave up 12 baskets to the visitors.
 
Statistical Leaders:
Points: Antoinette Mussorici - 13
Rebounds: Maddy Meehan - 11
Assists: Olivia Kastens - 4
3-Pointers: Rylee Mulvaney and Antoinette Mussorici - 2
Steals: Irie Razor - 2
Blocked Shots: Taylor Kirby, Rylee Mulvaney and Abby Weis - 1
 
Records:
Maryville: 4-3, 1-1
McKendree: 1-6, 0-2
 
What's Next?
The hit the road and play at Truman State Saturday afternoon in a 1 p.m. start in Kirksville, Mo.