ST. LOUIS – Madyson Rigdon poured in 30 points, the second time this season she has scored at least 30 in a game, to pace the Maryville women's basketball team to an 81-66 victory over Missouri S&T. She drained seven 3-pointers as she finished with the most points in a Great Lakes Valley Conference game this season. The Saints continue their best start to GLVC play and improve to 8-2 in the league.

HOW IT HAPPENED
An early 7-0 run staked the Saints to a 10-4 lead. The Miners answered and eventually led 17-16 after the first quarter. Missouri S&T built a 23-18 margin before the Saints went back ahead with seven in-a-row. Lindsey Schadewalt scored on a scoop in the lane before Claire Lueken tallied back-to-back buckets and a free throw for a 25-23 edge. After the Miners tied the score, Hadley Crosier made one free throw before Rigdon drilled consecutive 3-pointers for a 32-25 advantage. The visitors made a charge and pulled to within 34-33 at the break.
 
The Miners scored the first bucket of the third quarter before Rigdon round the range from deep, and a pair of free throws by Gracie Gopalan pushed the Saints ahead 39-35. Both offenses heated up as the teams traded baskets at 47-45. Lueken scored on a layup, and Olivia Hahn followed with one free throw. Schadewalt nailed a triple to push the Saints advantage to 53-47.
 
Missouri S&T scored to open the fourth quarter but Rigdon answered with a layup in traffic. The Miners made one free throw before Rigdon went on a personal 8-0 run. She sank a layup and a free throw before splashing in a deep 3-pointer. A pair at the free-throw line extended the cushion to 65-55. The Miners finally scored before Alicia Burgos converted a layup, and Rigdon sank another 3-pointer for a 70-58 lead with 4:27 to play. Maryville put the game away with six of the next eight points and a 78-63 margin. Rigdon scored 13 points in the final quarter, going 4-of-5 from the field, 2-for-2 from 3-point range and made all three free throw attempts.

STATISTICAL LEADERS
Points: Madyson Rigdon - 30
Rebounds: Alicia Burgos - 5
Assists: Gracie Gopalan - 5
3-Pointers: Madyson Rigdon - 7
Steals: Annika Pluemer - 3
Blocked Shots: Liz Behan and Annika Pluemer - 1
 
RECORDS
Maryville: 14-4, 8-2
Missouri S&T: 7-7, 3-5
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Saints start a string of three straight road contests and play at Lincoln Thursday, Jan. 22, in a 5:30 pm tilt in Jefferson City, Mo.