ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - Saint Mary's College Basketball defeated Augustana College on Friday night in the opening match of the Hyatt Place Tournament, 54-41. The Belles improve to 2-1 on the year while the Vikings fall to 0-2.

Both teams started slow in the first quarter, as Saint Mary's went into the first break with a 7-3 lead. Both teams struggled from the field but each hit a three pointer, another field goal and a couple free throws saw the Belles up after one quarter.

The Belles offense would find a rhythm in the second quarter, shooting 5-11 from the field to go into the halftime break with a 19-14 lead. Sophomore Annie Restovich (Wildwood, MO) had nine of the Belles points, all coming from beyond the three point line.

Both teams would play evenly in the second half, but Saint Mary's would edge out Augustana to go into the fourth with a 33-28 lead. Restovich moved into double-digit points with 12 while senior Julia Schutz (Dyer, IN) moved into double-digit rebounds with 10.

The Belles came out hot in the fourth quarter to put the Vikings away, shooting 6-9 from the field and 4-6 from three point range. The Belles finished off the Vikings to take the victory, 54-41.

Restovich was the games leading scorer with 21 points, all coming from the three point line as she finished 7-16. This is tied for the second most three pointers made in a game in Saint Mary's history. Schutz would record her second straight double-double as she finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Sophomore Kate Restovich (Wildwood, MO) would add nine points while junior Nicole Connolly (Mokena, IL) and freshman Ella Notaro (Crystal Lake, IL) would add six each.

Connolly would also grab eight rebounds while Kate Restovich and senior Lauren Gumma (Troy, MI) would dish out a team high three assists on the night.

UP NEXT FOR THE BELLES

Saint Mary's will play for the championship at the Hyatt Place Tournament tomorrow night at 5pm EST against the winner of the Edgewood College and Washington University-St. Louis matchup. The Belles will return home on November 20 to host Franklin College with tipoff set for 7pm.