NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Saint Mary's College Basketball earned a hard-fought victory over Kalamazoo College on Wednesday, 65-60, in the home finale. The Belles improve to 8-16 (3-12 MIAA) while the Hornets fall to 7-17 (6-9 MIAA).
 
Both teams struggled from the field in the first quarter, both shooting below 30%. After a scoreless first two minutes, the teams traded baskets back and forth before Saint Mary's took an 11-10 lead into the first break. Four Belles got on the scoreboard in the quarter while senior Hannah Outlaw (Jones, MI) led with four points off the bench.
 
Saint Mary's got hot offensively and defensively in the second quarter, shooting 58% from the field while holding Kalamazoo to just 26% from the field. The Belles also used an 11-3 run in the second half of the quarter to extend their lead, heading into the locker room with a 30-22 lead. Junior Kate Restovich (St. Louis, MO) led the Belles in the quarter with seven points alone. Outlaw moved up to six points and five rebounds.
 
The Hornets had a strong third quarter, adding two baskets every time the Belles added one, and outscored the Belles 22-15 in the quarter. The Saint Mary's defense held on to a one point lead going into the final quarter, 45-44. Outlaw jumped up to 11 points on the night while Kate Restovich and junior Annie Restovich (St. Louis, MO) moved up to nine a piece. Senior Nicole Connolly (Mokena, IL) went 3-3 from the field in the quarter for six points.
 
The two teams traded baskets back and forth throughout the first half of the fourth quarter before Saint Mary's would go on an 11-2 run over a three minute span to pull away from Kalamazoo. The Belles defense was strong in the quarter, forcing six turnovers while snagging four steals. Annie Restovich found her form at the free throw line, going 6-6 and putting up eight points in the quarter.
 
Annie Restovich led the Belles with 17 points on the night while Kate Restovich added 13 and Outlaw added 11. Outlaw and sophomore Kate Passinault (Grand Rapids, MI) led the team with six rebounds each while Kate Restovich and freshmen Liv Fry (Fort Wayne, IN) and Caroline Langworthy (Cincinnati, OH) added five each. 
 
Fry also led the team with four assists and snagged four steals. As a team, the Belles grabbed six blocks, two a piece for Outlaw, Passinault, and sophomore Ella Andree (Spring Lake, MI).
 
As a team, Saint Mary's shot 39% (21-54) from the field while knocking down five three points. The Belles shot an impressive 86% from the free throw line as they knocked down 18 of 21 attempts. The Belles also grabbed 41 rebounds and forced 14 turnovers while snagging 12 steals.
 
UP NEXT FOR THE BELLES
Saint Mary's closes out the season on Saturday with a trip to the University of Olivet for a 3pm tipoff in the season finale.