The Saint Mary women's basketball team earned a 69-68 overtime win at Kansas Wesleyan on Wednesday night. The rollercoaster win for the Spires improves their KCAC record to 8-7 and their overall record to 11-10. The Spires broke free from a seventh place tie with McPherson and now sit just two games back of third place in the conference standings. It was the third straight win for Saint Mary.

Kansas Wesleyan took charge in the opening minutes of the first quarter running out to a 9-2 lead. The Spires would respond with a 13-2 run of their own to lead by four points headed into the second. Saint Mary pushed their lead to six before settling for a four point lead at halftime. The Spires led by as many as nine points in the third quarter before Kansas Wesleyan closed the gap to just two points headed into the fourth. In the fourth quarter, Kansas Wesleyan would tie the game at 45 with 4:25 remaining in the game. Two free throws from Rachel Newquist put the Spires up by three wth just over a minute to play, but Kansas Wesleyan hit a three pointer to tie the game and force overtime.

The Coyotes led 67-65 before Janae Barnes hit a layup to tie the game with 16 seconds left in overtime. Kansas Wesleyan was then fouled on their next posession and went to the line for two free throws. The Coyotes made one of two attempts. Newquist pulled down the rebound and a reach in foul by Kansas Wesleyan sent her to the free throw line where she would nail both shots and give Saint Mary the 69-68 lead. The desperation shot would be no good giving the Spires the victory.

Free throws were the difference in the game. Kansas Wesleyan made just 18 of 28 attempts at the charity stripe while Saint Mary made 17 of 18 attempts. Saint Mary had four players score in double figures. Sienna Brown led the way with 15 points. Brown also had 12 rebounds to post a double-double. Both were season highs for Brown. Tiani White finiished with 14 points. Candy De Los Reyes added 12 points and Ashley Hinkle had 11. Hinkle also had five assists.

The Spires will be back in action on Saturday at Oklahoma Wesleyan. The game begins at 3pm in Bartlesville. Saint Mary was edged by the Eagles 72-70 at home earlier this season. Oklahoma Wesleyan is 16-7 overall and 10-5 in KCAC play this season.