QUINCY, Ill. – The Winona State women's basketball team topped Maryville University behind the 23 point performance from Tara Roelofs.
 
Roelofs had a fast start, scoring nine of her 11 first half points in the first quarter. The Saints would tie the score up at six almost three minutes into the quarter, but a Roelofs three and jumper would quickly make that tie a five-point lead. Hannah McGlone and Emily Wirth added a bucket each and the Saints would answer with a 3-pointer to bring deficit to four, 15-11.
 
The second quarter was tight as the Warriors just edged out Maryville's scoring 17-16. Kayla Timmerman had eight of her 11 points and one of her two blocks in the second quarter. A couple Saints three- pointers, and a one-of-two at the charity stripe, would bring the Saints a point away from the tie,. Liz Evenocheck would hit a three, increasing the Warriors lead back to four. The Warriors would end the half with a 32-27 lead.
 
With a Jenny Tuttle steal and an Evenocheck fast break layup, the Warriors would stretch the lead to seven to open the third quarter. The Saints would sink a two three-pointers and finish in the paint for their eight points in the third quarter. Evenocheck had five of the nine points the Warriors posted in the third quarter. A layup from Emily Wirth would end the third quarter with the Warriors on top, 41-35.
 
Both teams would score 20 or more points in the fourth quarter. The Saints would open the quarter with a three pointer. On the ensuing possession, Tuttle would grab another steal and finish the play at the rim. Three buckets from the Saints would again bring the deficit to only one point, this time with just under five minutes to play. Roelofs would get hit two shots to make the lead five again. The persistent Saints would knock down a 3-pointer to cut the lead to just two. Buckets from Evenocheck, Timmerman and Jenny Weiland would push the Warriors lead back to eight points with just under two minutes to play. With five seconds to play the Saints would hit 3-pointer to make it, once again, a point game at 60-59. A foul on Roelofs, who would make one-of-two free throws, made it a 61-59 final score. Maryville would not get off a shot before the final buzzer sounded.
 
Roelofs, who shot 10 of 16, led all scorers with 23 points; the second time she has surpassed 20 points this season and her fourth consecutive game in double digits.  Evenocheck, who was 5 of 10 from the field, added 12 points. Timmerman added 11 points and 11 rebounds, recording her first double-double of the season.
 
The Warriors shot 47.3 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from behind the arc and made 5 of 11 free throws for 45.5 percent. The Saints shot 36.7 percent from the field, 32.1 from behind the arc and made 6 of 8 free throws.
 
The Warriors (3-1) will play Quincy University (0-2) tomorrow at 3 p.m., then will host Concordia University Wisconsin (1-0) Tuesday night in their home opener in McCown Gym.

By Anthony Resnick