St. Louis, Mo. – Antoinette Mussorici and Carsyn Fearday tallied 16 points and six rebounds apiece as the Maryville women's basketball team held on to defeat the University of Missouri-St. Louis 63-58. Haidyn Pitsch and Madyson Rigdon, who reached a season high, both chipped in 10 points apiece. The Saints took advantage at the free-throw line by hitting 19-of-22 at the stripe.
 
UMSL recap
The Saints led for most of the first quarter and extended the gap in the second. Up 21-18, Fearday sank two free throws, and Pitsch converted on a driving layup. Fearday knocked down consecutive jumpers for a 29-18 edge. Faith Hawthorne made a turnaround jumper at the halftime buzzer for a 31-20 lead.
 
Early in the third, Kirby hit one free throw, and Fearday had a three-point play. Mussorici's layup was good for a 40-24 lead with 7:06 left in the quarter. The Saints tallied nine of 10 points to grab a 52-34 lead after two free throws by Hunter Stidham for their largest margin of the night.
 
Fearday sank a pair at the line as the Saints went up 56-41 at the 7:38 mark. However, the Tritons tallied 13 straight points to crawl back into the game. Rigdon sank two free throws to end the Maryville drought for a 58-54 edge with 3:23 remaining. UMSL got the ball back down by two but Stidham cut off a pass for a big steal that led to two Mussorici free throws and a 60-56 advantage. The Tritons closed to 60-58 with 59 ticks to play but Fearday scored on a drive down the right side of the lane and a 62-58 margin. The Saints tacked on one free throw for the final margin and a crucial late-season victory.
 
Statistical Leaders
Points: Carsyn Fearday and Antoinette Mussorici - 16
Rebounds: Carsyn Fearday and Antoinette Mussorici - 6
Assists: Antoinette Mussorici and Taylor Kirby - 1
3-Pointers: Haidyn Pitsch - 2
Steals: Hunter Stidham - 4
Blocked Shots: Hunter Stidham - 2
 
Records
Maryville: 15-10, 10-8 GLVC
Missouri-St. Louis: 9-15, 7-11 GLVC
 
What's Next?
The Saints host Senior Day Saturday, Feb. 18, as Missouri S&T visits for a 1 p.m. contest. Olivia Kastens will be honored after the game as the lone departing senior this season.