Ohio Valley Conference

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Eastern Illinois knocked down 11 3-pointers on Saturday afternoon as the Panthers picked up their first win of the season with a 68-63 win over Bellarmine.

The Panthers (1-6) took the lead with 3:13 to play in the first quarter on a Clara Glad driving lay-up.  Glad scored ten points, one of three Panthers in double figures.

Tiny Lewis scored in double figures for the third straight game with 11 of her 13 points in the first half as EIU led 34-33 at the half.  Lewis had three of the eleven 3-pointers.

In the third quarter EIU opened with a 7-0 run and eventually pulled out to a double figure lead at 55-44 after three quarters of play.  The Panthers knocked down 11 3-pointers in the game with Adriana Arroyo knocking down three off the bench.  

Ava Stoller helped finish off the game at the free throw line leading the Panthers with 21 points.

Bellarmine held the Panthers scoreless for a five-minute stretch late in the fourth quarter to close to within one possession at 60-57 after a Triniti Ralston three point play with just over a minute remaining.  Stoller made a pair of free throws and EIU was able to keep it at a two possession game the remainder of the game. 

Ralston led Bellarmine (2-6) with 25 points.  Andrea Chiquemba scored 12 for the Knights.

WILLIAM & MARY 64, TENNESSEE STATE 53
NASHVILLE - The Tennessee State women's basketball team turned in another strong defensive effort on Saturday, holding William & Mary to just 11.8 percent from three (2-for-17) and 35.6 percent shooting overall, but fell 64–53 to the Tribe inside the Gentry Center.

The Lady Tigers (1–6) were led by Kaliyah Montoya, who posted 14 points and eight rebounds, including five on the offensive glass. Xai Whitfield added 13 points and four assists, while Somah Kamara chipped in nine points to round out TSU's top scorers.

TSU's activity on the offensive boards created second-chance opportunities throughout the afternoon, as the Tigers grabbed 14 offensive rebounds and turned them into seven points. Defensively, Tennessee State held William & Mary well below their season averages from the perimeter and forced tough contested looks inside.

Tennessee State got off to a slow start offensively and trailed 11–6 after the first quarter.

The Lady Tigers responded with their best stretch of the game to open the second period, erupting for a 12–0 run highlighted by a Kamara three to take an 18–11 lead. TSU controlled much of the quarter with solid execution and transition play, heading into halftime with a 24–19 advantage thanks to four fast-break points and continued defensive pressure.

William & Mary rallied in the third, using a late push to tie the game at 43–43 entering the final quarter. Tennessee State continued to find success around the rim in the period, scoring 10 of its 19 points in the paint while staying aggressive on the offensive glass.

Early in the fourth, the Tribe gained a brief 45–43 edge before the Tigers punched back with a 6–0 run capped by an Erin Martin layup, reclaiming a 49–45 lead with 7:41 to play. However, William & Mary responded with a strong closing stretch, outscoring TSU 19–4 the rest of the way. The Tigers continued to attack the paint late, scoring six of their 10 fourth-quarter points inside, but could not overcome the Tribe's late-game run.

LITTLE ROCK 51, SAN DIEGO 37
TEMPE, Ariz. - Little Rock controlled the matchup from start to finish, using a dominant second half and suffocating defense to roll past San Diego 51–37 on Saturday at Desert Financial Arena.

The Trojans (2–4) set the tone early with hustle plays, quick responses and gritty defense, matching the Toreros step for step through the first two quarters. Guard Brenna Burk and forwards Jordan Holman and Pearson McVay sparked the offense with timely buckets, while Little Rock's pressure forced key first-half turnovers to keep the game tight. The Trojans closed the half on a strong note, taking a 20–16 lead into the break.

Little Rock erupted for 21 third-quarter points, draining 2 of 4 from deep and hitting every free throw while locking San Diego down. Guard Alaina Payne hit a momentum-shifting 3-pointer that kept the Trojans in control.

Payne followed with a block and a steal, setting the tone for a suffocating defensive stretch. Burk and McVay continued the pressure, combining for key baskets as the Trojans converted six Torero turnovers into points and built a commanding lead.

The Trojans closed the door in the fourth behind clutch buckets from forward Destinee Salgado and Holman, stretching the margin to as many as 19. Even with San Diego hitting a pair of late 3-pointers, Little Rock's defense never wavered, sealing a 51–37 victory.

Holman led the Trojans with 13 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 5 of 10 from the field for her best performance of the season.

McVay provided a spark off the bench, finishing with eight points, four rebounds and three steals to help Little Rock control the pace.

Defensively, the Trojans held San Diego to 24% shooting overall (14 of 58), including 4 of 18 from 3-point range, while forcing 19 turnovers and limiting the Toreros' fast-break opportunities. Little Rock scored 11 points off those turnovers.

LINDENWOOD 68, HAWAI'I 59
HONOLULU, Hawai'i - The Lindenwood women's basketball team (5-2) picked up a 68-59 win over Hawaii (4-2) on Saturday night in Honolulu

Neither team trailed by more than three points in a back-and-forth first quarter. Ellie Brueggemann had a pair of makes from beyond the arc in the opening frame as the game was tied 16-16 after 10 minutes of play.

Lindenwood held a 24-23 lead after a stepback jumper from Jones with 4:11 to go in the first half. The graduate guard finished the middle frame with a pair of buckets including a three as the Lions led 31-25 at the break. Jones had a game-high 13 points after the opening 20 minutes.

The Lions opened the second half with baskets from Brooke Coffey and Jones to grow the lead to 35-25. Lindenwood kept up the pressure throughout the period and extended its advantage to 48-34 after a steal and a three-point play by Coffey. The Black and Gold forced nine Hawaii turnovers in the third and led 50-36 after 30 minutes.

After a three by Gracy Wernli put the Lions in front 56-44, Hawaii turned up the pressure and cut the deficit to six at 56-50 with just over five minutes to go. Following a Lindenwood timeout, another three by Wernli gave the Lions some separation at 59-50. The Lions converted from the line down the stretch and picked up the 68-59 win over Hawaii. Wernli finished with 10 points in the quarter and had 18 for the game.

The Lions forced 21 turnovers and had 24 points from those turnovers. The Lions also had 17 fast break points in the win.

ARIZONA STATE 85, SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 56
TEMPE, Ariz. - Southeast Missouri Women's Basketball (2-3) fell to Arizona State (8-0), 85-56, at Desert Financial Arena despite hitting 12 three pointers. The Sun Devils capitalized on turnovers, scoring 27 points off the Redhawks' 26 turnovers.

Gabby Elliott's quick layups in the opening minute gave Arizona State an early lead, assisted by Marley Washenitz. Lexi McCully responded with a fast-break 3-pointer, bringing the Redhawks within one point. The Redhawks capitalized on defensive rebounds, leading to a 3-point shot by McCully, assisted by Raissa Nsabua. The quarter ended with SEMO ahead 18–16 after Madison Ayers hit a three pointer in the final seconds.

Arizona State initiated the quarter with Gabby Elliott scoring a layup, assisted by McKinna Brackens. Last-Tear Poa contributed a 3-pointer to extend the home team's lead. Ayers responded with a 3-pointer, assisted by Zoey Rixter. At halftime, Arizona State held a 32–23 advantage.

McCully opened the scoring for the Redhawks with a fast-break layup after a steal. Washenitz knocked down a 3-pointer off an Elliott assist, extending Arizona State's lead. The Sun Devils capitalized on offensive rebounds, with Heloisa Carrera scoring multiple second-chance points. At the end of the third quarter, Arizona State led 61–38.

Elliott scored early with a layup, setting the pace for the Sun Devils. Carmen Taylor responded with multiple 3-pointers, narrowing the gap slightly. Makayla Moore contributed with a 3-pointer and a tip-in, extending the Sun Devils' lead. At the final buzzer, Arizona State secured the win, 85-56.