Women's Basketball | 12/19/23 | 8:16 PM

HONOLULU, Hawaii - The Carroll College Women's Basketball team dropped a closely contested exhibition game against NCAA Division II opponent Hawaii Pacific, 49-46, to close out their week at the Hawaii Holiday Classic.

The Fighting Saints (8-3) had a chance to extend their (on-court) time in Hawaii just a little longer, but couldn't connect on a last second attempt to tie the Sharks (2-5).

Playing their third game in as many days, the Saints had a strong showing against host-school Hawaii Pacific, who entered the game on nearly two-weeks rest.

Carroll's shaky shooting from the court was once again a factor in the early game. The Saints went just 2-10 from the field in the opening quarter. However, both field goals were three-pointers, that were backed by five free throws to keep Carroll within striking distance, 14-11 after one.

The second quarter played out very tight, with neither team able to make much of an impact on the offensive end. The Sharks would outscore the Saints by a single point in the frame, and carried a slim 25-21 lead into the break.

Free throws would once again be the saving grace for the Saints in the third quarter. Carroll went 8-10 from the stripe, helping to overcome another 20 percent shooting quarter, but Hawaii Pacific would once again find a way to extend their lead, with the game 38-33 heading into the final 10 minutes.

Freshman guard Ellie Denny (Fairfield, Wash. / FR) provided a spark for the Saints in the middle of the fourth quarter. Denny stepped in and drilled a momentum-shifting three ball from the left corner to ignite a late-stage Carroll push. Ava Oakland (Boise, Idaho / SO) kept things rolling on the next possession, converting a tough and-one opportunity before Denny again came up clutch with a layup to cut the lead to just four points.

A Willa Albrecht (Billings, Mont. / R-JR) three pointer, followed by a Jamie Pickens (Helena, Mont. / GR) jumper cut the lead to just one point, and each possession was magnified.

Trailing by just two points with under ten seconds remaining, the Saints ran a set piece that provided as good a look from three point range as you can ask for, but Albrecht's attempt traveled an inch too far.

Carroll would get one more desperation chance with .8 left on the clock, but the quick shot would not fall and Carroll would fall 49-46.

Tuesday's game was an exhibition that will not count towards the Saints record.

Maddie Geritz (Boise, Idaho / GR) led Carroll offensively, finishing her night with 11 points and four rebounds.

The Sharks were also led by a team-high of 11 points from Leslie Mojica.

The Saints will take a couple of well-deserved days to rest and enjoy the Holiday with family before returning to Helena for a New Year's Day matchup with Milligan.

Visit www.carrollathletics.com for a preview of that game, and to stay up to date with everything going on in Carroll Athletics.