SAN ANTONIO — A strong second half by the St. Mary's University Women's Basketball team pushed the Rattlers to a 72-52 victory over Midwestern State University on Friday evening.
The win improves StMU to 8-2 overall and 3-1 in Lone Star Conference play, while the Mustangs drop to 4-6 on the year and 1-3 in LSC action.
Midwestern State jumped out to a 17-13 lead after the first quarter, but the Rattlers won each of the next three periods, including a lopsided 24-10 advantage in the third quarter behind the 3-for-3 shooting and seven points by senior
Quezia Bertoni (Sao Paulo, Brazil).
Junior guard
Allie Garcia (Adelaide, South Australia) led all players with 19 points, hitting three triples in her seven made baskets. The 72 points by StMU are the second-highest total of the year behind the 79 against Western New Mexico on Dec. 4.
Sophomore
Christin Callens (Houston) and Bertoni also ended in double figures, scoring 14 and 11, respectively. Callens and sophomore
Raynne Malik (London, Ontario) each led the team with eight rebounds as all 13 Rattlers recorded at least one rebound. St. Mary's won the battle of the boards, 55 to 40, the highest rebound total of the year for the Gold and Blue.
Callens scored 10 of her 14 points and grabbed six of her eight boards in the first half in helping the Rattlers remain within striking distance. The Mustangs took advantage of StMU miscues in the first half, scoring 12 points behind eight steals.
Bertoni also led the game with four assists, while sophomores
Lena Newby (Cibolo, Texas) and
Tiara Louis (San Antonio) each had two steals.
The Rattlers remain at home, hosting No. 7 Lubbock Christian on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Lady Chaps defeated St. Edward's 70-54 in Austin on Friday.
