ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst University women's basketball team showcased a strong performance, defeating Saint Mary's (IN) 88-64 on Saturday (Dec. 21) evening inside R.A. Faganel Hall.
Elmhurst improved to 8-2 with the non-conference victory, while the visiting Belles fell to 3-8 overall.
Rowan Cusack was instrumental in Elmhurst's success, contributing 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists while showcasing her defensive skills with 2 steals. Natalie Harty delivered an exceptional performance from beyond the arc, scoring 15 points on 5-of-6 three-point shooting, while also adding 3 assists and 3 steals to her stat line. Diellza Dalipi provided a strong inside presence, tallying 12 points and 3 rebounds, consistently creating opportunities in the paint. Sulika Ili rounded out the top performers with 11 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals, displaying her ability to capitalize on defensive stops and transition into offense effectively.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The opening quarter was a tightly contested affair, with St. Mary's getting on the scoreboard first with a free throw at 8:45. Elmhurst quickly found their rhythm, starting with Kristin Bukata's layup at 7:53. Cusack's three-pointer at 7:14 gave the Bluejays their first lead at 5-3. Elmhurst's defense created several turnovers, leading to easy transition opportunities. A fast-break layup by Dalipi at the 5:03 mark extended the lead to 11-5. However, Saint Mary's kept within striking distance thanks to efficient shooting from Kate Passinault. Elmhurst maintained their defensive intensity, forcing nine turnovers in the quarter, and closed with a slight edge, leading 16-11.
Elmhurst turned up the offensive pressure in the second quarter, outscoring Saint Mary's 29-20. The quarter began with back-to-back baskets by Dalipi, who dominated the paint early on. Harty then stole the spotlight with a pair of three-pointers midway through the quarter, pushing the lead to double digits. Elmhurst's bench played a crucial role, contributing 17 points in the quarter, highlighted by Ili's layup at 5:03. Despite St. Mary's attempting to cut into the lead with outside shooting, Elmhurst's transition game proved too much, as they scored 11 fast-break points in the period. By halftime, the Bluejays had built a commanding 45-31 lead.
Elmhurst continued their dominance in the third quarter, utilizing crisp ball movement and aggressive defense to keep Saint Mary's at bay. Lindsay Novak opened the scoring with a three-pointer, assisted by Bukata, just seconds into the period. Cusack followed with another three-pointer at 8:55, extending the lead to 51-33. Elmhurst's defense forced seven turnovers in the quarter, leading to quick points on the other end. Dalipi and Ili controlled the paint, securing crucial rebounds and converting second-chance opportunities. A three-pointer by Novak with 3:12 remaining gave Elmhurst their largest lead of the game at 65-47 heading into the final quarter.
The Bluejays maintained their intensity in the final quarter, closing out the game with a balanced attack. Harty continued her sharp shooting, draining another three-pointer early in the quarter. Dalipi's physicality in the paint led to multiple scoring opportunities, including a key offensive rebound and putback at the 4:28 mark. Elmhurst's defense remained relentless, with Harty and Ili combining for several steals that resulted in fast-break points. Cusack delivered the final blow with a smooth jumper in the closing seconds, capping off an impressive team effort. The Bluejays outscored Saint Mary's 23-17 in the quarter to seal the 88-64 victory.
UP NEXT
The Bluejays hit the road for their final game of 2025 next Saturday, Dec. 28, at Kalamazoo College for a 1:00 pm CT tipoff.
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