HELENA, Mont. - It came down to the final seconds, but the No. 16-ranked Carroll Women's Basketball team found a way to hold-off the NAIA's 10th-ranked team, Lewis-Clark State, and pick up a big-time win to open the 2025 Thanksgiving Classic at the CC PE Center.

A second quarter surge, paired with strong play down the stretch propelled the Fighting Saints (4-2, 2-1) to a hard-fought win over the Warriors (5-2).

"That's a big win early in the season against a good, veteran LC team." said Head Coach Rachelle Sayers "There are a lot of areas we need to clean up and get better at, but we found a way to go out there and win it."

Following a slow start in the first quarter, the Saints turned to their bench in the second - and were rewarded with a career performance from Gracie Millimen (Manhattan, Mont. / R-FR). Millimen was outstanding, scoring six momentum-swinging points in the frame and providing stout defense on the other end of the court. Halle Fitzgerald (Dillon, Mont. / R-FR) and Ava Oakland (Boise, Idaho / SR) combined for eight more points in the second, and Carroll clamped down defensively to pull back in front at the half, 30-26. Carroll forced five turnovers in the second, and held the Warriors to just six total points.

WIlla Albrecht (Billings, Mont. / R-SR) took over in the second half, scoring 17 points over the final 20 minutes to help close out the big win. The All-Conference guard was held quiet in the first half, but did plenty of damage down the stretch, finishing her outstanding evening 8-10 from the floor and 6-7 from three point range - all six makes coming after the break. She added four boards, a pair of assists and steals to round out the good night.

Jillian Kanduch (Miles City, Mont. / FR) had an all-around good game as well, quietly backing up Albrecht's 22-point effort with 13 points of her own.

Millimen was the lone other Saint to score ten or more points, finishing with a career-high 12 points on a 67 percent shooting effort from the floor.

"I thought Willa's shooting and Gracie's post presence were key for us tonight. Our bench contributions continue to be a key to us managing to sustain runs and hold on to leads."

The Warriors battled back late in the game, but couldn't find a way to overcome the Carroll advantage. They were led by Darian Herring's 15-points with five blocks.

Carroll will turn around and take on another ranked opponent tomorrow, wrapping up the two-day event against No. 21 Oregon Tech at 5 p.m. The Owls are coming off a 21-point loss to No. 15 Rocky in this afternoon's opener.