NEWTON, Kan. – The University of Saint Mary women's basketball team struggled early in loss to Bethel Saturday afternoon on the road. The final score was 75-59.

The Spires are now 2-15 overall and 2-11 in the KCAC.

The Threshers got off to a hot start as they began the game on a 13-0 run before Rebecca Gilpin stopped the bleeding with back-to-back three-pointers. Saint Mary fueled off of that and got back to within four after Macy Walker hit two at the free-throw line with 3:25 left in quarter. Bethel was able extend their lead again with four triples in a row, to give them the 30-22 lead after the first quarter. Both teams would trade baskets majority of the second quarter, and the Threshers held a 10 point lead at halftime.

Bethel held onto their double-digit lead throughout most of the third quarter, until Danielle Cassady hit two free-throws and then on the very next play capitalized off a Thresher turnover to make it 42-50. At the 2:53 mark, Cassady drove to the basket and was fouled and put Saint Mary back to within four after she hit both shots at the line. Bethel would respond and creep their lead back to double-digits to close the quarter. The Threshers were able to hold off the Spires in the fourth to secure the home win.

Walker led the team in scoring with 19 points with 14 coming from the free-throw line and seven rebounds. Cassady scored 15 and had four steals and Gilpin finished with nine points. Kaylie Simonds led the team in assists with three. The Spires defense forced the Threshers to 19 turnovers.

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The Spires return home on Jan. 20 to take on York College inside Ryan Sports Center . Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.