ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. – Host St. Mary's of Maryland used a strong fourth quarter to rally for a 62-52 non-league women's basketball victory over Shenandoah Monday evening.
The Seahawks (2-4) held Shenandoah scoreless over the final 10 minutes earn the 10-point win over SU (3-4).
The Hornets led 16-6 after one, 30-22 at the break and 52-40 heading into the fourth before watching the 'Hawks steal the victory with the 22-point period.
SMCM made six field goals (including one 3-pointer) along with nine of 11 free throws in that final stanza to erase the 12-point deficit and earn its first win over Shenandoah in the past six meetings.
The Hornets, who shot 31 percent (20 of 65) for the game, missed all 17 of their shots from the field in the fourth and did not attempt a free throw.
Senior Erin French, who was one of three SU players in double figures, scored the squad's final bucket on a layup with three seconds to play in the third.
Junior Kirstyn Arcata and freshman Sarah Donley each had 11 points in the loss.
After the two teams traded the initial eight points of the game, Shenandoah ripped off an 18-3 run from the 5:37 mark of the first to the 7:32 mark of the second to take a 22-7 lead.
The lead remained in double digits until a 6-0 St. Mary's run to the deficit to eight, 27-19, with 1:54 to play in the second.
The 'Hawks eventually cut it to six before an 8-0 SU run pushed the Hornets advantage back to 14, 38-24, by the 7:58 mark of the third.
Shenandoah kept up the pressure, holding a 13-point lead as late as the 1:10 mark of third and holding a 12-point advantage to start the fourth.
It took the Seahawks most of the stanza to eat erase the deficit with SU holding onto the lead until Olivia Nowlin hit two free throws for SMCM with 3:12 remaining.
St. Mary's then combined a 3-pointer with six free throws to provide the final margin of victory.
French, with nine boards, just missed a double-double.
The Seahawks had a 50-43 advantage on the glass.
Shenandoah is off for the next eight days due to final exams and returns to the court on Tuesday, December 13 against former USA South Conference rival Averett. Opening tip is scheduled for 5 p.m.
###
