Edwardsville, Ill. – For the second time in three seasons, the Maryville women's basketball team defeated an NCAA Division I team as the Saints downed SIU Edwardsville 81-66. The contest was the exhibition opener for Maryville. Back on Nov. 3, 2022, the Saints defeated Saint Louis University 78-70 in an exhibition matchup. Madyson Rigdon poured in a game-high 19 points to lead Maryville. Gracie Stugart and Annika Pluemer both recorded double-doubles with 18 points and 12 rebounds and 13 points and 13 rebounds, respectively.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Saints trailed 12-6 but reeled off 11 straight points. Stugart knocked down a jumper, and Rigdon drilled back-to-back 3-pointers. Lindsey Schadewalt sank a triple as the Saints surged to a 17-12 advantage. Alicia Burgos converted two free throws as the Saints led 19-15 after the first quarter.
 
 
Up 19-17 early in the second, Stugart completed a three-point play, and Pluemer found the range from deep as the Saints pushed their margin to 25-17. Maryville was still up 33-26 but scored the last six points of the half. Faith Hawthorne scored in the lane, and Rigdon hit two at the stripe. In the waning seconds, Stugart scored on a drive as the Saints took a 39-26 lead at intermission.
 
 
Maryville led by double digits for the entirely of the third quarter and by as much as 53-38 on a Rigdon layup. SIUE scored two buckets to close the frame as the Saints took a 53-42 cushion into the final 10 minutes.
 
 
Claire Rake opened the fourth with a bucket, and after a jumper by Hawthorne, Rake drilled a triple from the top of the key for a 60-45 lead with 7:59 to play. The Cougars chipped away at the deficit and closed to within 64-55 with just under five minutes remaining. However, Rake answered with consecutive 3-pointers to restore a 70-56 advantage at the 3:32 mark as the Saints cruised to another win over a Division I program. The Saints sank nine 3-pointers and converted 20 free throws. Maryville dominated the glass and outrebounded SIUE 60-35, including tracking down 18 offensive rebounds. The Saints led for 33:43 in the contest.

STATISTICAL LEADERS
Points: Madyson Rigdon - 19
Rebounds: Annika Pluemer - 13
Assists: Gracie Stugart - 6
3-Pointers: Claire Rake and Madyson Rigdon - 3
Steals: Madyson Rigdon - 2
Blocked Shots: none
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Saints travel to Bloomington, Ind., to face No. 25 Indiana in their final exhibition game Wednesday, Oct. 30, in a 6 p.m. CT / 7 p.m. ET tip-off.