Sticking with their NESCAC opponent for the majority of the contest, the St. Lawrence University women's basketball team played a tight contest against Middlebury until the fourth quarter, when the Panthers put up 27 points en route to a 66-41 win over the Saints Tuesday evening in Middlebury, Vt.

The loss brings the Saints' overall record to 4-7 as they resume Liberty League play this weekend.

"The first three quarters were really good basketball," said Saints head coach Dan Roiger, whose team only trailed 39-35 going into the game's final quarter.

"Considering we are starting three first-years and two sophomores, I like our trajectory," he continued. "Annie Perry played really well in her first start and Norah Niesz did an outstanding job defensively against one of the top guards in the country. We are learning to keep our mental focus, today for the whole first half. It started to slip in the third quarter and mostly disappeared in the fourth. But each game gets a little better and a little longer."

The Saints gave up an early lead but hung around, cutting the deficit to one point on three occasions and trailed 10-9 with 20 seconds left after a layup from Katie Chisholm. The Panthers closed out the quarter with a pair of free throws for the 12-9 lead.St. Lawrence then manufactured an 8-2 run over the final 4:39 of the second session, taking a 24-20 advantage heading into the break.

With the Saints clinging to a lead into the late stages of the third quarter, Middlebury strung together a 9-0 run to retake the lead. The two teams would trade late points but the Panthers kept a four-point lead heading to the final frame.

The Panthers then outscored St. Lawrence 27-6 in the final quarter for the convincing victory.

Margaret Dougher led the way for the Saints in points, chalking up a team-high of 10. Elizabeth Flynn also added eight points. 

The Scarlet and Brown head to Burkman Gymnasium after beginning 2024 on the road, and now face off against Union and Ithaca on home turf Friday and Saturday respectively. Tip off for Friday evening's contest against the Garnet Chargers is set for 5:30 pm.