Women's Basketball Falters In Season Finale

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The University of Saint Mary women's basketball led early on, but cold shooting in the second half led to a loss against Avila University Saturday to conclude their season. The final score was 69-52.

The Spires finished the season 5-23 overall and 5-19 in the KCAC.

Saint Mary jumped out to a 7-0 lead after triples from Nese Selepeo and Danielle Cassady, and a bucket from Dakota Corle. The Eagles finally got on the board and got within two midway through the first, with a 7-5 score. On the next possession, Selepeo found Cassady behind the arc and then two free-throws from Corle extended their lead back to seven. Saint Mary led 14-11 at the end of the first. A three-pointer gave the Eagles their first lead midway through second quarter. Both teams went back and forth the rest of the half, and things were tied up 30-30 at halftime.

A triple from Rebecca Gilpin gave Saint Mary the lead briefly, but Avila answered and would never trail the rest of the way. After trailing 50-41, Selepeo passed it to Corle who drained one from the three-point line. Moments later, she got another bucket after a nice feed from Cassady to get the Spires to within four from the Eagles. Saint Mary fought hard the rest of the way, but Avila pulled away with the win on their senior day.

Corle led the team with a 18 points along with 12 rebounds in her final game as a Spire. Cassady finished with 15 points. Selepeo led the team in assists with five.