HELENA, Mont. - The Carroll College Women's Basketball team capped a terrific Thanksgiving Classic with a 60-56 win over a tough Southern Oregon squad on Saturday afternoon in Helena.
The No. 5-ranked Fighting Saints (6-2) picked up their third-straight win over a Cascade Collegiate Conference opponent, securing a four point win over the (RV) Raiders.
A turnover-riddled start to the night for the Saints saw the Raiders open a lead as large as eight points in the opening frame. Carroll would recover, however, and narrow the gap to just three points, 20-17, after one.
A low-scoring second quarter would enter the final seconds with Carroll holding a 29-28 advantage, but a three-pointer as time expired by Makayla Scurlock would give the Raiders a 31-29 lead heading into the break.
WIlla Albrecht (Billings, Mont. / R-JR) would take charge in the third quarter, and give Carroll an advantage they wouldn't surrender. Albrecht scored 10 of her career-high 22 points in the third quarter, and Carroll would lead 49-47 heading into the final quarter of play.
Tightly-contested throughout, Carroll would find a way to close out the four-point win with Albrecht and
Maddie Geritz (Boise, Idaho / GR) combining for the Saints' final seven points, 60-57.
As mentioned, Albrecht posted a career-best and game-high 22 points on the night. The Montana-transfer was all over the court, pulling down five rebounds in addition to a block and two steals.
Jamie Pickens (Helena, Mont. / GR) was as solid as ever, finishing her night with a smooth 14-point, 14-rebound double-double, her sixth of the season.
Kami Walk led the Raiders in scoring, finishing with 15 points, while Meghan MacIntyre had an impressive 14-point, eight-rebound performance in the loss.
After a rest day tomorrow, the Saints will head to Salt Lake City, Utah for their second NCAA Division I exhibition of the season, an 11 a.m. tilt with No. 10-ranked Utah on Tuesday.
Visit www.carrollathletics.com for a preview of that game, and to stay up to date with everything going on in Carroll Athletics.
