(HANOVER, Ind.) - Wilmington was unable to hold onto their halftime lead, falling to the Belles of Saint Mary's College 81-71.  

The Quakers opened the first quarter on a 7-2 run, featuring a three-pointer by Gabby Russell. The Belles responded and cut the lead to 14-10 with under four minutes left in the first quarter. Wilmington's offense remained in control, capping their 20-point first quarter with a three by Sierra McCoin to lead 20-12 after one.  

Saint Mary's College went on a 5-0 run to start the second quarter, but the Quakers offense kept scoring. Wilmington had back-to-back three pointers from Russell and Jazz Johnson to jump ahead 28-18 halfway through the quarter. Another three from Russell put the Quakers ahead by nine late, and positive free throw shooting sent Wilmington into halftime leading 34-26. The Quakers held Saint Mary's College to 1-9 from beyond the arc in the first half, while Wilmington shot 6-19 from deep. 

The Belles opened with a three out of the half, but McCoin responded with a three of her own. Stephanie Altstaetter scored after an offensive rebound by Olivia Trusty to put Wilmington ahead by 10, 39-29. Saint Mary's College scored six straight on a 13-4 run to cut the Quakers' lead to just 43-42 with under three minutes to go in the third quarter. The Belles' offensive run continued as they took a 48-43 lead with a minute left. Wilmington was unable to stop the Saint Mary's attack as they trailed 50-43 entering the final quarter. The Quakers only mustered nine points in the third while the Belles scored 24. 

Wilmington found themselves down 12 quickly into the fourth quarter. Altstaetter converted an and-one opportunity to cut the Belles' lead to 55-46. Saint Mary's offense continued to pull away, hitting a three to put them ahead 66-54 over the Quakers with under five minutes to play. The Belles offense overpowered Wilmington's defense in the fourth quarter, taking a commanding 75-61 lead with just two minutes left.   

Notables 

• Gabby Russell led Wilmington with 23 points. She shot 7-15 from the field, including four three-pointers. She added four assists, one block, and one steal. 

• Stephanie Altstaetter recorded a double-double, scoring 17 points with 10 rebounds. She had one block and one assist.  

• Sierra McCoin scored 13 points with four assists and one steal.  

• Wilmington scored 20 points in the first and 28 points in the fourth quarter.  

• The Quakers had 11 second chance points.  

What's Up Next 

The Quakers will face Eureka College in the second day of the Hanover College Tournament tomorrow afternoon.