MIDWAY, KY. -- Saint Mary-of-the-Woods is off to the best River States Conference start in school history after leading from start to finish for its first ever women's basketball victory against Midway University on Friday.
The Pomeroys used a 14-3 scoring run during the second quarter to create separation on their way to a 83-73 triumph. The Pomeroys' defense held the Eagles to 1-of-6 shooting and 3 turnovers during that stretch, while Kylee Stepp led the offense with five points.
Brooklynn Jones led the Pomeroys with a season-high 26 points and a season-best nine rebounds. Jones shot 8 of 14 from the field, hitting her only 3-point attempt.
"To come into Midway and play the way we did says a lot about our leadership and commitment from all the ladies," coach Terry Bowe said.  
The Pomeroys' scrappy defense began from the opening tip. SMWC jumped ahead 7-0 and finished with six steals in the first quarter.  Abby Worley had two steals in the opening period. Great backcourt play extended to the reserves as Aubrey Burgess and Destiny Thomas added five points apiece for the Pomeroys in the first quarter.
The home team stayed close, however, making 9 of 13 shot attempts in the first quarter. Leading just 23-21 going into the second quarter, the Pomeroys took it up a notch at both ends.
Worley, Irye Gomez and Stepp connected on 3-pointers in the second quarter, and SMWC held the Eagles to 6-of-18 shooting overall in the second quarter.
Jones scored nine points in the third quarter and 7-of-8 at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter to lead the Pomeroys' offense in the second half.
SMWC (7-3, 3-0 RSC) won its first road game of the season. The Pomeroys return to action after Christmas, playing three games in three days in the Ave Maria Invitational in Ave Maria, Fla.
"The win gives us an opportunity to bond during the holidays while maintaining our basketball IQ. Hopefully that will help su as we hit the stretch run in January and February," Bowe said.