NORMANDY, MO. – For the second straight season, the Maryville women's basketball team has advanced to the championship game of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament. With a 70-64 triumph over Drury in the tourney semifinals, the Saints will take aim at their first league title since winning the 2012 championship. Claire Lueken led the way again with a team-high 18 points, while Gracie Gopalan and Annika Pluemer had 13 and 10 points, respectively. The win is the 24ththt of the season, to tie the school record for wins, matching the marks by the 2005-06 and 2007-08 teams.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Tied at 31-all at halftime, the Saints edged ahead late in the third quarter. Madyson Rigdon nailed a 3-pointer for a 46-43 lead but Drury hit two late free throws as the Saints were up by one point going into the final quarter.
 
The Lady Panthers made two free throws to open the fourth before Gracie Gopalan scored on a layup. Claire Lueken scored down the lane as the Saints grabbed a 50-47 edge. Gopalan sank two free throws as the Saints edged ahead 52-48. Drury tied the score again but Annika Pluemer and Lueken both sank a pair at the line to rebuild a 56-52 advantage. The defense forced a miss, and Lindsey Schadewalt connected on two free throws for a six-point lead with four minutes to play.
 
After the teams traded baskets, Drury sank a triple but Schadewalt answered to keep the Saints up 62-57. Following dueling free throws, the Lady Panthers again sank a 3-pointer. Pluemer converted a short hook shot in the lane and a 66-62 cushion with 55 seconds left. Drury followed with a bucket to pull to 66-64. Schadewalt collected the ball at the top of the key and spun to the middle and connected on a six-footer for a 68-64 advantage with 21.4 seconds remaining. Drury missed its next shot, and Liz Behan grabbed the crucial carom in traffic. After a timeout, Pluemer was fouled and coolly hit both free throws with 8.3 seconds remaining to put the game away.

STATISTICAL LEADERS
Points: Claire Lueken - 18
Rebounds: Liz Behan - 7
Assists: five players - 1
3-Pointers: Claire Lueken - 2
Steals: Madyson Rigdon - 3
Blocked Shots: Olivia Hahn and Annika Pluemer - 1
 
RECORDS
Maryville: 24-6
Drury: 21-8
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Saints will take on host Missouri-St. Louis in the 2026 GLVC Tournament title game Sunday, March 8, at 1 pm, in UMSL's Mark Twain Building.