by YANKTON, S.D. – Trista Merrival (Oglala Lakota) had a game-high 19 points for the College of Saint Mary basketball team Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately for the Flames, it wasn’t enough to lift CSM past Mount Marty College.
The Lancers slipped past CSM 57-53 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference contest.
“I’m really proud of the effort that our ladies played with today,” CSM Coach Kirk Walker said. “We had a chance to fold our tents in the fourth quarter when they went on a run, but we kept battling.
“We got it to 52-51 on a 3-pointer, but just couldn’t make enough plays in the end to pull it out.”
Besides Merrival’s 19 points, Amy Talavou (SR/Santa Ana, Calif.) also reached double figures with 10 points. Kenzi Hoit (FR/Omaha, Neb.) added eight points and Veronica Kobza (SO/David City, Neb.) finished with seven. Clare Lewandowski (FR/Lincoln, Neb.) had a team-high nine rebounds and five blocks.
“Trista is playing with more confidence offensively and showing what we knew she could do,” Walker said. “Amy played a really good game. She is starting to come on.”
The Flames shot 37 percent from the floor, 40 percent from 3-point range and 50 percent from the free-throw line. Mount Marty was 37 percent from the floor, 21 percent from long distance and 60 percent from the charity stripe.
CSM outrebounded the Lancers 35-30 but also had more turnovers, 23-12.
“We are playing well defensively, but just need to take better care of the ball,” Walker said. “Turnovers costs us again – especially in the first half.”
