St. Louis – Taylor Kirby tallied 20 points, and Olivia Kastens recorded a career-high 17 points but the Maryville women's basketball team suffered a 77-72 defeat in the season finale. Haidyn Pitsch scored 13 points and grabbed a team-high six rebounds. Maryville awaits its draw for the 2022 Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament, which begins Monday, Feb. 28.
 
What Happened:
UIndy led 17-16 after one but a layup by Pitsch and a 3-pointer by Kastens gave the Saints a 21-18 advantage. Maryville led 32-28 and scored six straight points to take a 38-28 lead at halftime. Hunter Stidham converted a layup, and after one free throw by Abby Weis, Stidham drilled a 3-pointer for the double digit lead.
 
The Greyhounds sank five 3-pointers early in the third quarter to take a 46-44 lead. Carsyn Fearday scored to tie the game 46-46. UIndy inched back ahead but Kastens answered with a triple. Three free throws in the final minute by Kirby gave the Saints a small lead that stood at 53-50 after three.
 
After a surge by the visitors, Kirby powered up for a layup and a 57-57 tie. However, UIndy stayed hot from the field and edged out to a 67-61 lead with 4:31 left in the game. Stidham splashed in a 3-pointer, and Fearday's layup pulled Maryville to within one at 69-68 in the final minute. The Greyhounds hit a 3-pointer on their next possession and two free throws with 17 seconds left put the UIndy edge at 74-68. Kastens hit one more triple to give the Saints a chance but the Greyhounds sank three free throws to seal the win. The Saints committed just six turnovers but could not overcome the 13 3-pointers the Greyhounds hit.
 
Statistical Leaders:
Points: Taylor Kirby - 20
Rebounds: Haidyn Pitsch - 6
Assists: Antoinette Mussorici - 6
3-Pointers: Olivia Kastens - 5
Steals: Antoinette Mussorici and Haidyn Pitsch - 2
 
Records:
Maryville: 13-13, 9-11
Indianapolis: 10-16, 7-11
 
What's Next?
The Saints will open the 2022 GLVC Tournament on the road at an opponent to be announced. If Maryville wins, it would advance to the quarterfinals held at First Community Arena in Edwardsville, Ill.