by PERU, Neb. – A win is a win.
That was Coach Jesse Flanagan’s perspective after his College of Saint Mary basketball team snuck out with a 91-87 victory over Peru State College Friday night.
The nonconference game was the season opener for CSM and the first time playing in a Flames uniform for seven of the 14 players who got in the game.
In the end, it was a handful of returners that led the way for the Flames.
Pilar Aldrich (SR/Winnebago, Neb.) had a game-high 24 points for CSM, while teammate Justice Ross (SR/Gretna, Neb.) tossed in 17 and Payton Everett (SR/Malcolm, Neb.) canned 13. Peyton Hagen (JR/Bellevue, Neb.) finished with seven points and Ashley Nelson (SO/LaVista, Neb.), Paige Muhammad (SR/Omaha, Neb.) and Shelby Allberry (SR/North Platte, Neb.) all added six points.
Allberry and Nelson paced the Flames with seven rebounds each, while Alyssa Laudato(FR/Palm Bay, Fla.) had a team-high four assists.
The Flames took an early 24-11 lead after the opening quarter, but the Bobcats outscored CSM 24-21 in the second frame to cut the lead. Both teams scored 21 points in the third quarter, before Peru State outscored CSM 31-25 in the final frame.
“We jumped ahead early and took an early lead, but we let them creep back in the game,” Flanagan said. “We had mental errors, mistakes and consecutive turnovers that let them back in. That happened in both the first half and the second half.
“Offensively we did some great things. There are times we need to be more patient and play smart, but we can work on those things.”
Flanagan said it was great to just get his players on the court and finally play a real game. He said it was nice to see his players learning to work together and start to mesh as a team. The Bobcats also exposed some weaknesses that Flanagan said they’ll be working on in upcoming practices.
“Defensively we weren’t great tonight,” he said. “We were good at times and bad at times. Their big girl hurt us and Justice helped us out by taking a big charge which had her foul out. Pilar hit some really big shots for us tonight and Paige had a huge steal at the end of the game.
“This was a good challenge for us.”
The Flames return to the court Wednesday in their home opener. CSM will play host to Bellevue University at 6 p.m.
