Warrensburg, Mo.  – Claire Rake hit five 3-pointers and topped Maryville with 17 points but Central Missouri pulled away in the fourth to hand the Saints women's basketball team a 70-56 defeat. Gracie Stugart had another tremendous all-around game with eight points, seven rebounds and eight assists.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Down early in the game, Faith Hawthorne sank a 3-pointer to spark an 8-0 burst. Claire Rank converted a triple, and a layup by Gracie Stugart put the Saints on top 11-4. UCM slowly cut into the Maryville lead and forged a 15-15 tie after one period. The Jennies built a 27-21 edge until a triple by Madyson Rigdon and a jumper by Olivia Hahn tied the game at 29-all. UCM settled for a 33-32 margin at the half.
 
Neither team was able to put together a run in the third quarter as the teams alternated scores. Two late free throws put the hosts up 49-45 going into the fourth. Lindsey Schadewalt converted a short shot to pull Maryville to within 49-47. The Jennies used a 9-2 run to gain some breathing room. Alicia Burgos and Adylan Ayer hit baskets to chop the deficit to 60-53 with 3:49 left. However, UCM pulled away by scoring eight straight points to take its biggest lead of the game at 68-53.
 
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Points: Claire Rake - 17
Rebounds: Annika Pluemer and Gracie Stugart - 7
Assists: Gracie Stugart - 8
3-Pointers: Claire Rake - 4
Steals: Annika Pluemer and Gracie Stugart - 2
Blocked Shots: Alicia Burgos and Annika Pluemer - 1
 
RECORDS:
Maryville: 1-4
Central Missouri: 5-2
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Saints are next in action Wednesday, Nov. 27, when they begin Great Lakes Valley Conference play with a 1 p.m. contest at McKendree. Read Full Article