An upset vs. the highest-scoring team in NAIA women's basketball is a tough task for any team. Considering SMWC was without one of its top players, junior Madison Fueger (14.2 ppg, 8.0 rpg), made it even tougher.
Still, the Pomeroys were within 11 at halftime before No. 14 Rio Grande pulled away for a 110-80 victory against SMWC (8-7, 3-2 River States Conference).
Brooklynn Jones scored in the paint to pull SMWC within 12-8 midway through the first quarter, but Rio Grande went on an 11-3 run to take its lead to double digits for the first time. The Pomeroys could only get as close as 50-42 with 1:30 to go in the second quarter on a 3-pointer by Irye Gomez.
Without Fueger to help on the glass, the Pomeroys allowed a season-high 28 second-chance points to the Red Storm, who shot 56.4 percent, also a season-best opponent mark this season against SMWC.
Offensively, the Pomeroys had five players reach double figures.
Jones had 19 points on an efficient 8-of-14 shooting.
Gomez added 15 points before fouling out. Aubrey Burgess had 13 points, three steals and a blocked shot.
Destiny Thomas had 11 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Senior Allyson Hardiek added 10 points, three blocked shots and two steals.
 
NEWS AND NOTES

• Burgess has seven steals in the past two games. Her 13 points were a season-high.
• Thomas' six assists matched her season-best in a game this season for the second straight game.
• Jones is averaging 16.6 points during RSC games, which ranks 10th in the league. Her 53.1 percent shooting is 11th best in RSC-only games.