SAU Loses Regular Season Finale

2/18/06
Box Score
DAVENPORT, Iowa -- Energy filled the building Saturday afternoon at Lee Lohman Arena with SAU's Alumni and Senior Day festivities taking place. That energy carried over to the early part of the game, as SAU got out to a 13-point first half lead. That lead, and the excitement quickly left the building though, as Mt. Mercy stole a 66-57 victory.

The game started out evenly, before SAU scored 16 consecutive points to take their biggest lead of the game of 13. Just when it looked like the Queen Bees would run the Lady Mustangs off the court, they fought back, going on a 15-2 run in the last five minutes of half. The two teams went into the locker rooms with the game up for grabs, tied at 27. Mount Mercy (16-14, 8-6) was able to climb back into the game, thanks to 16 turnovers which were committed by the Queen Bees (19-10, 9-5). SAU shot 40% in the half, while Mount Mercy wasn't far behind, shooting 36%.

The Lady Mustangs came out firing in the second half, scoring the first four points of the half, as they'd never trail the rest of the game. Mount Mercy used an 18-7 run to start the half to take their largest lead of the game at 11 points. St. Ambrose wasn't done though, pulling within two points on a couple different occasions, the last coming with just over two minutes remaining on a jumper by senior Ali Rorah. The Lady Mustangs were able to hit their free throws from there on, and they went home with the victory.

Rorah played one of her best games as a Queen Bee in this, her final regular season home game. She finished with 13 points, just one shy of her career high, and nine rebounds, while also recording two blocks and two steals. Jennifer Goetz finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Ashlie Maher chipped in with nine points in her first start of the season. SAU turned the ball over 30 times in the game.

Mount Mercy was led by Jenni Baker's 20 points and four steals. Dani Anderson finished with 11 on 5-of-8 shooting, while Katie Smith had 10 points. Mount Mercy shot 71% in the second half, constantly hitting big shots when they needed them most.

SAU will now put this game behind them and get prepared for the postseason. They will face Ashford in the first round of the Midwest Classic Conference Tournament on Thursday. Game time is set for 7:00 at Lee Lohman Arena. SAU won both games they played against the Lady Saints this season.

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