AVE MARIA, FLA. -- The weather is cool in Florida if you ask the locals, but the Pomeroys brought the heat Friday in Golisano Fieldhouse.
The Pomeroys put together an intense defensive effort, forcing 32 turnovers by Florida National's Conquistadors, and SMWC put five players in double figures to cruise to a 78-60 victory. 
Irye Gomez paced the team with 16 points, knocking down four 3-pointers, and led the team with six steals. SMWC had 19 steals for its second-best performance this season. 
Kylee Stepp added three 3-pointers on her way to 12 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals. Madison Fueger had 13 points and just missed a second straight double-double with nine rebounds, two blocks and three steals. 
Brooklynn Jones added 10 points and two steals. Destiny Thomas had 10 of the team's 39 points off the bench as the Pomeroys were able to give minutes to everyone on the roster, which is important since they'll play a third game in three days Saturday against Ave Maria University. 
"We were able to play everybody," coach Terry Bowe said. "To give our core players some rest opportunity with a quick turnaround. It's a good start to hopefully finishng this tournament off on the right foot." 
Bowe was pleased with SMWC's defensive effort.
"That's part of the gameplan all season. We did a good job being aggressive defensively. We looked at the film of last night's game and only had two transition points off turnovers. Our goal tonight was to try to get some deflections and steals and try to create some easy (scoring) opportunities," Bowe said. 

News and notes

• Hope McGuire scored her first points as a Pomeroy. The junior track and field standout is playing her first season of basketball. She converted a 3-point play with a baseline drive Friday. 
• Freshman Jonnaya Harris also got in the scoring column for the first time, knocking down two free throws.