CHANDLER, Ariz. - The No. 21-Ranked Carroll Women's Basketball team picked up a bounce-back win in game two of the 2024 Cactus Classic, beating Stephens College (Mo.) 59-50 on Friday evening at the Coyote Center.

It was an identical 59-50 scoreboard to yesterday's loss to Campbellsville, but this time it read as nine points in favor of the Fighting Saints (6-4), who overcame a sluggish start to topple the Stars (6-5).

Carroll knocked down their shots at a 50 percent clip in the first quarter, but six opening frame turnovers would spell trouble for the Saints. LaiJanique Perry-Ellis and Taylor Norris combined for 12 first quarter points and the Stars would open up a 10-point advantage heading into the second, 21-11.

The Carroll defense stiffened in the second quarter, returning to form and holding the Stars to just two field goals on six total attempts in the frame. Kyndall Keller (Havre, Mont. / R-SR) and Meagan Karstetter (Moses Lake, Wash. / JR) combined for 10 points in the quarter to cut into the Stephens lead and bring the game to 29-23 at the break.

The Saints were excellent on the defensive end again in the third quarter, holding Stephens to another eight point effort. Willa Albrecht (Billings, Mont. / R-JR) scored five and pulled down five rebounds in the frame, as the Saints doubled-up the Stars in the third to hold a 39-37 lead heading into the fourth.

Carroll held the Stars' leading scorer Perry-Ellis in check in the fourth, while Albrecht continued to roll. The preseason All-Frontier selection went 3-3 from deep, while Keller and Karstetter controlled the paint with some nifty two-man offense, combining for another nine points. The Saints dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Stars 12-5 in the final quarter to close out the 59-50 comeback victory.

Albrecht led all players, just missing a double-double with a 21-point, nine rebound performance. Keller finished her night with 18 points and five assists, while Karstetter posted 14 points and five boards in the win.

Ava Oakland (Boise, Idaho / JR) had seven rebounds off the bench, providing a spark on the defensive end of the court in the comeback.

The Stars were led by Perry-Ellis' 20-point, seven-rebound performance.

Carroll will now wrap up its weekend in the desert with a rematch against No. 19 Arizona Christian, who they lost to in the season opener in Helena.

Visit www.carrollathletics.com tomorrow night for a recap of the action, and to stay up to date with everything going on in Carroll Athletics.