(MCKENZIE, Tenn.)- #1 Thomas More University women's basketball team defeated Bethel (Tenn.) on Thursday evening (Jan. 13), 55-53. The Saints overall record improves to 16-1 and 9-0 in the conference.
- Junior Emily Simon (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson) kicked things off for the Saints, driving to the rim for a basket with 8:44 on the clock to put the Saints on the board (2-0).
- With 4:40 to play in the first quarter, sophomore transfer Alex Smith (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mercy McAuley) knocks in a 3-point shot to make it a 6-7 game.
- Sophomore Kelly Brenner (Cincinnati, Ohio/Roger Bacon) hit a jumper with 19 seconds left in the first quarter to extend the Saints lead to 13-10 going into the second quarter.
- Sophomore Rachel Martin (Cincinnati, Ohio/Summit Country Day) made a reverse layup to start off the scoring for the Saints in the second quarter with 9:05 to play in the half (15-10).
- With 3:25 to play in the first half, junior Courtney Hurst (Burlington, Ky./Conner) drained a three to give the Saints go ahead 23-22 lead.
- The Saints went on a 7-0 run over the wildcats at the end of the first half, with junior Summer Secrist (Hebron, Ky./Scott) making a steal and driving the ball down the court for a basket to give the Saints the lead going into the locker room at the half (30-29).
- Secrist led the Saints with eight points and four rebounds.
- Junior Zoie Barth (Ft.Thomas/Highlands) and Hurst also came down with four rebounds to lead the Saints.
- Simon followed putting up six points.
- Barth tallied three assists to lead the Saints in the first half.
- The Saints were 35.5% (11-31) from the field, 33.3% (4-12) from the 3-point line, and 57.1% (4-7) from the free throw line in the first half.
- With 8:44 to play in the third quarter, graduate student Alexah Chrisman (Greendale, Ind./McAuley) made a jumper to start off the half for the Saints to tie the score at 32-32.
- Secrist made one free throw to give the Saints the lead once again with 5:05 to play in the 3rd quarter (39-38).
- Sophomore Maggie Jones (Piner, Ky./Simon Kenton) drove to the rim for a layup for the Saints final basket of the quarter. The Saints led 43-41 going into the final quarter of the game.
- Simon started the final quarter off with a layup to extend the Saints lead to 45-41 with 9:09 to play in the game.
- With 2:03 to play in the game, Secrist hit two free throws for the Saints to regain the lead at 55-53 and scored the final points of the game to win the game for the Saints.
- Secrist led the Saints in points in the second half as well with eight and had four rebounds.
- Simon followed with five points and led the team defensively with five rebounds.
- Hurst tallied four assists to lead the Saints in the second half.
- The Saints were 30% (9-30) from the field, 18.1% (2-11) from the 3-point line, and 71.4% (5-7) from the free throw line in the second half.
- Secrist led the Saints across the board with 16 points, eight rebounds, and one assist.
- Simon followed with 11 points and five rebounds.
- Barth recorded seven points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
- Hurst recorded five rebounds and five assists.
- Smith and Hurst both had three points and five rebounds.
- Chrisman brought down six rebounds.
- The Saints were 32.8% (20-61) from the field, 26.1% (6-23) from the 3-point line, and 64.3% (9-14) from the free throw line.
The Saints return to the court on Saturday (Jan. 15) against Freed Hardeman in Henderson, Tenn. at 1:00 pm ET.
