HELENA, Mont. – The Carroll College women's basketball team earned a 62-55 win over NCAA DIII opponent, Pacific University Monday evening at the PE Center.
 
The Saints rallied in the second half to overcome a six-point first half lead by Pacific to earn the home win.
 
Carroll trailed for the entire first quarter but rallied and took a 26-24 lead with 4:13 left in the second frame.
 
The Boxers regained a 29-28 lead at the half on a free throw with 45 seconds remaining.
 
After trading leads to start the second half Carroll built a 48-42 lead to close out the third quarter and extended the lead to 51-44 with 8:16 left to play in the game before the Boxers rattled off a 7-0 run to tie the game at 51.
 
Carroll struggled shooting from distance all night, hitting just 4-24 (16.7 percent) from the three-point line but the Saints hit them when they counted. Bailey Pasta and Brittney Johnson hit back-to-back 3-pointers to spur an 8-1 run and stretch the lead back to 59-52.
 
The Boxers tried to get back in the game by stealing the ball but Pasta showed poise in the face of pressure, dribbling away from defenders in the final minute. The Saints held on for the seven-point win.
 
Carroll was 22-61 (36.1 percent) from the field. They forced Pacific into 21 turnovers while committing just 11.
 
Cassidy Hashley scored a game-high 16 points, Hannah Dean had 13 points and a game-high nine rebounds and Michaela Dowdy came off of the bench to score 10 points.
 
Sarah Curl had 16 points for Pacific and Karli McHone added 15. The Boxers were 19-6 (41.3 percent) from the field.
 
"I think we made some big plays when we had to," Sayers said. "We were obviously in a drought from the 3-point line. The back-to-back threes late in the game really sealed it for us. I thought our kids did a great job really executing and getting the ball in the paint. That gave us a big run. Pacific countered that with a zone and then we struggled from the 3-point line. I think sometimes when you have that long break you come out a little rusty and a little anxious."
 
The Saints play one more game before a short Christmas break. Carroll takes on Willamette (Ore.) on Wednesday at 12 p.m. for the inaugural field trip game. Around 2,000 children will be in attendance from eight different elementary and middles school from around the Helena Valley.