BILLINGS – The Carroll College Fighting Saints struggled to find a rhythm in the first quarter and fell behind 14-6, before waking up and regaining control in their 58-45 first round victory at the NAIA Tournament on Thursday night.
Carroll outscored Pikeville (Kentucky), 39-17 in the second and third quarters to recover from their slow start.
The run was led by point guard Jaidyn Lyman and shooting guard Danielle Wagner. Lyman raced the length of the court and hit a lay up at the second quarter horn to give the Saints a 29-26 halftime lead.
Wagner made sure the momentum carried over to the second half. Wagner scored 10 of her team high 16 points in the final 20 minutes as the three point halftime lead ballooned to 17 just seven minutes into the third quarter.
Pikeville made a 4th quarter run, but could get no closer than 9 points.
Carroll shot 44 percent in the second half and 40 percent for the game. The Saints outscored Pikeville from the free throw line 14-3.
Wagner led the way with 16 points, while Lyman added 9 and Hannah Dean pitched in with 8 points and 9 boards.
Carroll will play Oklahoma City Friday night at around 9:45 p.m.
