Defense Lifts Women's Basketball to Win at CSM

Women's Basketball traveled to Omaha on Tuesday evening to take on Saint Mary in GPAC play. The Tigers scored the first 15 points of the game and rolled to an 85-34 victory. It was Doane's first 50-plus point victory in two years (December 2022).

Doane held Saint Mary without a field goal through the first eight minutes of the game. The Tigers led 15-0 before the Flames picked up two free throws followed by a 3-point basket. Doane led 19-7 after 10 minutes of action. In the second quarter, the Tigers pushed the lead to 16 points in the first five minutes. Leading 33-19 with 4:46 to play, Doane went on a 15-1 run to close the quarter to lead 48-20 at the break.

The Tigers started strong in the third quarter, scoring the first 12 points to take a 40-point lead. Doane pushed the lead to 41 points on two occasions in the quarter, leading 68-27 heading into the final 10 minutes. Doane's largest lead of the game was the final difference, 51 points.

Eleven players scored in the game for the Tigers. Mak Hatcliff led the way with 21 points and three steals while Macy Holtz finished with 18 points. Emma Brown posted nine points while Grace Thompson and Megan Chambers picked up eight points apiece. Maddie Portwine collected a team-high eight rebounds while Addie Hatcliff dished out a team-leading three assists.

Doane shot 54-percent from the floor (38-of-70), making four 3-point baskets. They were 5-of-10 at the free throw line. Saint Mary shot 17-percent from the floor (10-of-58), and 9-percent from behind the arc (2-of-23). As a team, the Flames made 12-of-18 at the free throw line.

Madelyn Gaughen led the Flames with nine points and Jazmyne Villalobos added eight points. The Tigers held Saint Mary's leading scorer Aleigha Jackson to six points, eight below her season average.

Next up for Doane will be a home GPAC contest against Mount Marty on Wednesday, December 4, at 6 PM.