KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Saint Mary's College Basketball defeated Kalamazoo College, 65-54, to earn their first MIAA victory of the season. The Belles improve to 4-9 (1-3 MIAA) while the Hornets fall to 5-8 (0-4 MIAA).

Both teams went back and forth in the first quarter but thanks to a couple free throws at the end of the quarter, Kalamazoo led 13-10 after the first 10 minutes. Freshman Kate Passinault (Grand Rapids, MI) led the game with six points in the first quarter while both teams would shoot over 30% from the field in the quarter.

The second quarter started like the first but as it seemed like the Hornets would start to pull away the Belles would go on a 13-0 run to end the half and go into the locker room with a 31-23 lead. Saint Mary's held Kalamazoo to just 15% from the field in the second quarter and would shoot 42% themselves. Passinault would move into double figures as she had 12 points while sophomore Kate Restovich (Wildwood, MO) would add seven of her own. 

Kalamazoo would battle back in the third quarter as they would outscore Saint Mary's 20-15, but the Belles would still lead after 30 minutes of play, 46-43. Senior Julia Schutz (Dyer, IN) put up 11 points in the quarter, bringing her total to 17, while going an impressive 6 of 8 from the free throw line in the quarter alone.

The Belles would dominate the fourth quarter as they outscored the Hornets 19-11 in the final 10 minutes to secure their first MIAA win of the season. The Belles outshot the Hornets 33% to 26% from the field while outshooting them 30% to 4% from three point.

Schutz would finish with a team high 20 points. Restovich and Passinault would each add 14 points while freshman Ella Notaro (Crystal Lake, IL) would add seven. Schutz, Restovich, and Notaro would all grab a team high seven rebounds on the night while Restovich would dish out a team best three assists. The Belles would force 13 turnovers as Passinault and junior Nicole Connolly (Mokena, IL) would snag two steals and Schutz would add two blocks.

UP NEXT FOR THE BELLES

Saint Mary's returns home for a single game on Saturday, January 11, as they host Alma College for a 1pm tipoff. The Belles then start a three game road swing starting on January 15 as they travel to take on the University of Olivet. The road trip will also feature matchups against Adrian College and Albion College.