ELMHURST, Ill. - Saint Mary's College Basketball fell to Elmhurst University on Saturday afternoon, 88-64, in the final game of 2024. The Belles fall to 3-8 (0-2 MIAA) on the year while the Blue Jays improve to 8-2.

Both teams went back and forth in the first quarter as they continuously traded baskets. Elmhurst was able to get out to an early lead at the end of the quarter as they led 16-11 after the first 10 minutes. Sophomore Annie Restovich (Wildwood, MO) and freshman Kate Passinault (Grand Rapids, MI) led the team early with five points each.

Both teams continued to trade baskets to open the second quarter, the Blue Jays would use an 11-2 run midway through the quarter to head into the halftime break with a 45-31 lead. Freshman Ella Notaro (Crystal Lake, IL) lead the Belles at the half with nine points, tied for a game high, while Restovich and Passinault moved up to eight and seven points respectively.

Elmhurst continued their trend of outscoring Saint Mary's by a few points each quarter as they extended their lead, up 65-47 after the third quarter. While the Belles were shooting an impressive 43% from the field, the Blue Jays continued to shoot above 50% from the field as they continued to pull away. Sophomore Kate Restovich (Wildwood, MO) led the Belles with 11 points after three quarters.

Elmhurst continued to outplay Saint Mary's in the fourth as they would close out the game to secure their win, 88-64. The Blue Jays would finish the game shooting an incredible 58% from the field.

Kate Restovich led the game with 17 points, going 13 of 14 from the free throw line. Her 13 made free throws puts her into a tie for fourth all time at Saint Mary's for free throws made in a game. Passinault added a collegiate career high 14 points on 6 of 9 from the field while Notaro would add 11. Junior Nicole Connolly (Mokena, IL) would add nine while Annie Restovich would add eight.

Sophomore Avery Schiesser (Austin, TX) would lead the team with six rebounds while Passinault would grab five. Kate Restovich would also lead the team with five assists. As a team, the Belles shot 40% from the field, their fourth time shooting 40% or better from the field this season, while shooting 27% from three point and shooting 89% from the free throw line, going 16 for 18. It was the best day from the free throw line for the Belles this season, and their first time shooting above 80% from the line since the opening game of the season against North Central College.

UP NEXT FOR THE BELLES

Saint Mary's gets back into action in the new year as they host Trine University on January 4 to open the new year. Tipoff between the Belles and Thunder is set for 1pm from the Angela Athletic Center.