Saint Mary's picks up third win of year
By KATIE McVOY
Sports Writer
The Saint Mary's basketball team ended its lackluster season on a high note with a 59-53 victory over Adrian College on Parent's Day at Angela Athletic Facility.
The Belles needed the victory on Saturday to ensure home court advantage in the first game of the MIAA tournament that begins Monday.
Saint Mary's played excellent defense and offense throughout the game, but it was sophomore Kelly Jones that put the team over the top.
"Kelly was extremely consistent throughout the entire game," freshman Elisa Ryan said. "She dominated on offense."
Jones led the offense with 22 points during the game, a personal high and team high for the season. She went 3-for-6 from the foul line, scored eight field goals and one 3-pointer.
Saint Mary's came into the game with one goal in mind —to shut down Adrian's offense. They did just that.
The Belles kept every Adrian player from scoring less than 10 points except for Sarah Vincke, and allowed only six points from the foul line.
"We played very good defense," sophomore Jaime Dineen said. "We kept the ball out of the hands of Adrian's big player, Ann Terpstra. Our press really bothered them and helped us keep control."
With Adrian's defense in check, Saint Mary's gave its offense the chance to take the victory. Joining Jones on offense were Anne Blaire, Julie Norman, Kristen Matha and Jaime Dineen. Blaire had 11 points in the game on one foul shot and five field goals.
"Anne has been on fire the last two weeks in practice," Ryan said. "The shots were just falling for her."
Norman scored eight points for the Belles and Matha and Dineen each scored seven. Norman and Dineen both added to total offense by hitting 3-point shots.
The Belles were tied with the Bulldogs 21-21 at the end of the first half.
Coming into the second half, the Belles put in a team effort for the win, using Parent's Day and the MIAA tournament as motivation.
"It was a big team effort," Dineen said. "The fact that this win would give us home court advantage and Parent's Day were big factors in the win."
Saint Mary's will open the MIAA tournament this Monday at home against ninth-ranked Olivette at 7:30 pm.
All Sports Stories for Monday, February 21, 2000
