NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Saint Mary's College Basketball fell to 18th ranked Trine University in an MIAA matchup on Saturday, 78-44. The Belles fall to 3-9 (0-3 MIAA) while the Thunder improve to 10-2 (3-0 MIAA).

Trine got out to an early lead in the first quarter as they would end the first 10 minutes up 21-10. The Thunder would shoot an outstanding 50% from the field in the first quarter as the Belles would shoot just 14%. Four Belles got on the scoresheet in the first quarter while sophomore Kate Restovich (Wildwood, MO) led the team with four points.

While Saint Mary's would start to fight back, Trine would extend their lead going into the halftime break, 41-24. Both teams shot exceptionally well in the quarter as the Belles would outshoot the Thunder, 54% to 52%. Senior Julia Schutz (Dyer, IN) would put up seven points in the quarter, leading the team with eight in the half.

Both teams struggled to find the bottom of the net in the third quarter as Trine would extend their lead just 58-34. Freshman Ella Notaro (Crystal Lake, IL) would lead the team with four points in the quarter.

The Thunder never took their foot off the gas as they would outshoot the Belles 41% to 37% in the quarter to finish the Belles off, 78-44.

Schutz would lead the team with 14 points while Restovich, Notaro, and freshman Kate Passinault (Grand Rapids, MI) would each add six while senior Lauren Gumma (Troy, MI) added five off the bench. Passinault also led the team in rebounds with six while Notaro grabbed five and Schutz and Restovich each grabbed four. Restovich would also lead the team with two assists.

UP NEXT FOR THE BELLES

Saint Mary's continues the conference season as they head north to take on Kalamazoo College on January 8 with tipoff set for 7pm. The Belles then return home for one game to take on Alma College on January 11 starting at 1pm.