Lebanon, Ill. – Haidyn Pitsch hit 8-of-9 shots, including five 3-pointers, and finished with 21 points. as the Maryville women's basketball team took down league-leader McKendree with an 87-72 victory. The win is the fourth straight for the Saints, who had five players in double figures. Maryville shot 53 percent from the field (35-of-66).
 
McKendree recap
The game was close throughout the first quarter and was tied at 20-20. McKendree took a narrow 27-25 lead two minutes into the second before Antoinette Mussorici and Haidyn Pitsch scored to put the Saints on top 29-27. The Bearcats tied the game with two free throws before Karlee Feldman powered for a layup, and Pitsch drained a 3-pointer for a 34-29 advantage midway through the quarter.
 
The Bearcats closed to 36-34 but Mussorici and Faith Hawthorne converted back-to-back layups for a 40-34 lead. After two free throws by Gracie Stugart, she came up with a steal and a had a layup as Maryville took a 44-34 lead into halftime. The Saints shot 81.2 percent in the quarter (9-of-11) to grab the upper hand.
 
In the third, Carsyn Fearday knocked down consecutive jumpers, and a Pitsch triple pushed the Maryville margin to 51-36. A bucket by Hawthorne was good for a 59-44 lead midway through the third before the Bearcats closed to within eight. Pitsch hit a late 3-pointer to re-establish a double-digit margin at 68-58 after three. The Saints scored nine of the first 13 points in the fourth and grabbed a 77-62 advantage early in the quarter. McKendree got as close as 79-68 but the Saints scored six straight points to seal the victory. Maryville shot 54.9 percent in the second half (17-of-31).
 
Statistical Leaders
Points: Haidyn Pitsch - 21
Rebounds: Faith Hawthorne - 8
Assists: Carsyn Fearday and Antoinette Mussorici - 5
3-Pointers: Haidyn Pitsch - 5
Steals: Carsyn Fearday - 3
Blocked Shots: Karlee Feldman and Faith Hawthorne - 1
 
Records
Maryville: 10-8, 7-5 GLVC
McKendree: 14-4, 10-3 GLVC
 
What's Next?
The Saints have another short trek as they head to the north side Saturday, Jan. 27, for a game at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Tip time in the Mark Twain Building is 1 p.m.