SAN ANTONIO — They lost a double-digit lead late in the third quarter, only to take it back with authority down the stretch Thursday evening.
St. Mary's stormed back after blowing a 12-point lead, taking down UA Fort Smith 65-54 for a pivotal Heartland Conference victory before the home crowd at Bill Greehey Arena.
The Rattlers (10-3, 4-1) closed the game on a 16-3 run after falling behind for the first time in the second half, 43-40, in the opening minute of the fourth quarter.
Dezirae Elias led the way with 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while
Kiara Etheridge picked up her eighth double-double of the season with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Mariah Lee added 12 points and seven boards off the bench.
The victory, paired with a Rogers State loss on Thursday, moves the Rattlers into a tie for second place in the conference standings. StMU will face Rogers State on Saturday, tipping off at 1 p.m. at Bill Greeley Arena.
Against UAFS, St. Mary's built on a 32-24 halftime lead to take a 12-point lead, 36-24, with 4:44 left in the third quarter on a fastbreak layup from Elias.
But in the matter of minutes it evaporated, as the Lions (9-4, 2-2) went on a 16-4 tear to end the third quarter, evening the score at 40-40 to start the fourth.
St. Mary's rediscovered its rhythm, however, as an Etheridge layup put the Snakes back up 56-46 with 5:11 remaining.
Despite the Rattlers shooting under 40 percent from the floor (26 of 68), a strong defensive effort kept them on track. They held the Lions to a 27.7-percent shooting clip for the game, and allowed just 6 of 21 from beyond the arc (28.6 percent).
St. Mary's also outrebounded the Lions 50-44 while forcing 15 turnovers.
Saturday's contest will be broadcast free of charge online on the
Rattler Network.
