by LINCOLN, Neb. – The College of Saint Mary Flames found a way to get their entire offense involved Wednesday night. The Flames scored over 100 points and had four players reach double digits as CSM beat Nebraska Wesleyan University 101-71 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference contest.
CSM’s Pilar Aldrich (Winnebago Tribe of NE) had a career-high 26 points to lead all scorers in the game. Teammate Peyton Hagen (SO/Bellevue, NE) added 19 points, seven rebounds and three steals, while reigning NAIA Player of the Week Deaundra Young (SR/Mims, FL) finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. Also for the Flames, Justice Ross(JR/Gretna, NE) had 15 points and three steals, while Payton Everett (JR/Malcolm, NE) and Shelby Allberry (JR/North Platte, NE) both finished the night with eight points.
“Our strong defense really gave us our offense tonight,” CSM Coach Jesse Flanagan said. “We shared the ball and made the extra pass. Dee had an off game because they were double teaming her, but that created opportunities for everyone else.”
Two of those players that Flanagan said were key included Aldrich and Hagen.
“Pilar’s confidence level is sky high and she’s knocking down the shots,” Flanagan said. “And Peyton Hagen had a great game for us. Her defense was awesome and it made her offense awesome.”
The Flames shot 56 percent from the floor, 58 percent from 3-point range and 92 percent from the charity stripe.
The Prairie Wolves actually led 19-18 after the opening quarter, but CSM outscored NWU 24-19 in the second quarter to lead at the intermission. The Flames went on to outscore the Prairie Wolves 25-15 in the third quarter and 34-18 in the fourth frame to seal the win.
CSM returns to the court Saturday afternoon with a 2 p.m. game at Northwestern College.
