NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Saint Mary's College Basketball earned a dominant 78-55 victory over Earlham College on Tuesday in the final game of the 2025 calendar year. The Belles improve to 5-7 while the Quakers drop to 1-9.
 
Earlham got out to a quick lead in the first quarter, leading by as much as four early on. Saint Mary's was able to bounce back and close out the quarter on an 8-2 run to finish with a 16-12 advantage. Both teams struggled to shoot in the first 10 minutes, both finishing below 30% from the field. Sophomore Kate Passinault (Grand Rapids, MI) led the team with seven points in the quarter while sophomore Ella Notaro (Crystal Lake, IL) grabbed six rebounds.
 
The Belles used their momentum from the end of the first quarter throughout the entirety of the second quarter, outscoring the Quakers 28-10 in the quarter alone to double up Earlham with a 44-22 lead at the half. The Belles defense held strong in the second quarter as they forced 11 turnovers while snagging seven steals in the quarter alone. Of those 11 turnovers, Saint Mary's scored 14 points and nine on fast break opportunities. Passinault moved into double-figures with 13 points in the first half while juniors Kate Restovich (St. Louis, MO) and Annie Restovich (St. Louis, MO) knocked down two threes each to find themselves on the scoresheet with six.
 
Earlham started to find their footing in the third quarter as they shot 50% from the field and used a 7-1 run to try and cut their deficit. Saint Mary's kept them at a safe distance as they would go on an 11-4 run of their own right after to head into the fourth with a 65-41 advantage. Passinault finished the quarter with 18 points while Kate Restovich added seven to bring her total to 13. 
 
While both teams struggled to shoot in the fourth quarter, Saint Mary's held on to their lead and finished off Earlham for a 78-55 victory. Notaro put up six points while grabbing six rebounds in the quarter alone to lead the team.
 
Passinault led the Belles with a career high 18 points on 8-11 shooting. She also added a career high three blocks on the game. Notaro posted her first career double-double as she put up 14 points and a career high 14 rebounds, leading the team in rebounds. Kate Restovich added 13 points to join the two sophomores in double-figures. 
 
Senior Hannah Outlaw (Jones, MI) grabbed eight rebounds in her return to the court while Notaro and sophomore Ella Andree (Spring Lake, MI) led the team with three assists each. Freshman Caroline Langworthy (Cincinnati, OH) led the team with three steals.
 
Saint Mary's dominated the turnover margin as they finished with a +13 advantage after forcing 23 turnovers and snatching 14 steals as a team. They outrebounded the Quakers 57-46, the most rebounds in a game for the Belles this season.
 
UP NEXT FOR THE BELLES
Saint Mary's heads on the road for a single trip to continue MIAA play as they travel east to take on in-state rival Trine University on Saturday, January 3, at 12pm. The Belles then return home on Wednesday, January 7, as they host the University of Olivet at 6pm