St. Louis – For the first time since joining the league, the Maryville women's basketball team started Great Lakes Valley Conference play 3-0 with a 57-47 triumph over Southwest Baptist. Taylor Kirby tallied 14 points, while Hunter Stidham finished with 13 points and eight rebounds. Carsyn Fearday added 12 points, Rylee Mulvaney also grabbed eight boards and Antoinette Mussorici dished out eight assists. The Saints held their second opponent in three games to under 50 points.
 
Southwest Baptist recap
Trailing 9-8, the Saints reeled off a 9-1 run to surge ahead 17-10. Antoinette Mussorici nailed a jumper, and Stidham drained a 3-pointer. SBU made one free throw, but Stidham hit back-to-back jumpers for a 17-10 advantage. Maryville maintained a narrow lead and took a 28-23 edge into halftime.
 
The Bearcats cut the advantage to 28-27 but Kirby had a three-point play and Stidham splashed a triple for a 34-27 edge. Kirby scored midway through the third to build 38-30 margin. SBU scored the final six points to close to within 38-36. Fearday started the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer, and Mulvaney sank a jumper for a 43-36 lead. The Saints stretched their lead to as many as 11 at 56-45 on a Kirby jumper and eased to the victory in the final minutes.
 
Statistical Leaders
Points: Taylor Kirby 14
Rebounds: Rylee Mulvaney and Hunter Stidham - 8
Assists: Antoinette Mussorici - 8
3-Pointers: Hunter Stidham - 3
Steals: Rylee Mulvaney and Antoinette Mussorici - 2
Blocked Shots: Taylor Kirby - 2
 
Records
Maryville: 5-2, 3-0 GLVC
Southwest Baptist: 3-5, 0-3 GLVC
 
What's Next?
The Saints host No. 7 Drury Saturday, Dec. 3, in a clash of teams undefeated in GLVC play.