McDermott and Haase power Pride to 83-65 win over Saint Xavier
CHICAGO, Ill. - Coming off of a nailbiting one-point victory in their season opener, the Clarke University women's basketball team ran away to an 83-65 win over Saint Xavier University on Tuesday night.
It was the first road game of the season for the Pride, who moved to 2-0 on the year, as they were able to grow their lead progressively throughout the game behind 30-of-53 (56.6%) shooting from the field, 5-of-11 (45.5%) shooting from three-point range, and 18-of-22 (81.8%) shooting from the free throw line.
"Tonight was a great test for us," head coach Courtney Boyd said. "It was a good challenge early in the season to see how we would battle against physical post players, quick gurads, and a combination of shooters and drivers to the rim."
Juniors Nicole McDermott and Taylor Haase were the top-two scorers for CU for the second-straight game as McDermott scored a game-high 28 points on a stellar 11-of-13 (84.6%) shooting from the field while going a perfect 2-for-2 from three point range, and 4-for-4 from the free throw line.
Haase had the game's second-highest point total at 19 points and was a rebound shy of a double-double as she tied for the game-high with nine boards as she was inserted into the starting lineup for the first time this season, as she did once last season.
The rest of the starting lineup behind McDermott and Haase saw Tina Ubl add eight points, Emma Kelchen provide six points and nine rebounds, and Skylar Culbertson hit multiple three point shots for the second-straight game to start the season as she ended the game with six.
The Clarke defense was also strong for the second-straight game to start the season as they limited SXU to just 28.4 percent (19-67) shooting from the field as the three-point shot kept the Cougars in the game with nine of their 19 makes coming from beyond the arc.
"We have been trying to focus on our communications as a team and this game showed the positives of what can happen when we all stay on the same page," Boyd said.
Pride women's basketball will have a week away from game action before they return home to the Kehl Center on Nov. 9 to host Cardinal Stritch University at 7:00 p.m. CT as part of a rare non-conference doubleheader with the men's team hosting William Woods at 5:00 p.m. CT as well.