Wilson helps Rattlers improve to 7-1 with 4th double-double

By Sarah Holden | St. Mary's Athletics Communications

SAN ANTONIO – The Rattlers women's basketball team continued its hot streak with its sixth straight win, defeating Kutztown 55-45 in the St. Mary's Thanksgiving Classic on Saturday evening.

Sophomore post Hannah Wilson earned her fourth double-double on the season, putting up 12 points and 17 rebounds. Wilson dominated under the glass with four offensive and 13 defensive rebounds. The Golden Bears' Rylee Derr also had a double-double on the night, earning 12 rebounds and 12 points. Rattler guard Kaitlin Walla led the team in scoring for the second night in a row, adding 16 points. 

"Tonight we won with our defense," said head coach Jason Martens. "I'm so proud of these girls. They found a way to win." 

In the first ever meeting between the teams, Kutztown (1-5) took an early lead, going up 6-0 within the first two minutes of the game. St. Mary's (7-1) was rapid in response, taking an 18-4 run to build a double-digit lead for the remainder of the first half, entering halftime up 30-20.

Both teams were off to a slow start in the second half, with the Rattlers only adding six points in a five minute span. Kutztown elevated pressure in the back court with a full-court press. The Rattlers would end the night giving up 18 offensive rebounds, and 20 turnovers. Despite those numbers, the Rattlers continued to lead throughout the entirety of the second half, going up 42-30 at the end of the third quarter, and finishing the night 55-45.

"I thought our energy level was a little bit low," said Martens. "We just ground it out defensively and found a way."

St. Mary's will now take a two-week break, before heading to Angelo State on Saturday, December 8.