ST. LOUIS – The Maryville women's basketball team hit critical free throws in the waning moments to take down Drury 68-65 in a Great Lakes Valley Conference thriller. Gracie Gopalan nailed the go-ahead free throws with 40.7 seconds left to push the Saints ahead 67-65. After the teams traded turnovers, Drury missed the potential game tying shot with 1.7 seconds left. Alicia Burgos made one free throw for the three-point lead. After a timeout, Drury advanced the ball into the front court and a shot at the buzzer misfired as the Saints defeated the Lady Panthers for the second straight time in Moloney Arena.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Saints scored the first eight points of the game and led 20-9 after the opening 10 minutes. Drury made a run in the second quarter and cut the Maryville lead to 33-29 at halftime. The Saints were still up 36-32 but DU scored six straight to take its first lead at 38-36 at the 6:40 mark of the third. Drury led 56-48 heading into the fourth.
 
Drury went up by as much as nine points and took a 59-50 lead with eight minutes to play. After two free throws by Annika Pluemer, Schadewalt sank a 3-pointer and a jumper as the Saints got to within 59-57. The Saints tied the game at 61-61 but Drury retook a 63-61 margin. Schadewalt retied the game before two more free throws by Drury built a 65-63 lead with 1:50 to play. The Saints tied the game at 65-all on two free throws by Pluemer with 1:32 remaining to set up the final frantic moments. Schadewalt finished with a career-high 28 points, while Claire Lueken added 11 points. The Saints went 25-of-30 from the free-throw line to key the win.

STATISTICAL LEADERS
Points: Lindsey Schadewalt - 28
Rebounds: Adylan Ayer - 9
Assists: Gracie Gopalan - 3
3-Pointers: Lindsey Schadewalt - 4
Steals: Annika Pluemer - 3
Blocked Shots: Alicia Burgos - 3
 
RECORDS
Maryville: 13-4, 7-2
Drury: 9-6, 6-2
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Saints remain in Moloney Arena and host Missouri S&T at 1 pm Saturday, Jan. 17.