NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Saint Mary's College Basketball fell to Calvin University, 61-57, to open conference play. The Belles fall to 4-3 (0-1 MIAA) on the year while the Knights improve to 4-3 (1-0 MIAA). 
 
The Belles celebrated their annual Morgan's Message game on Wednesday night.
 
Saint Mary's opened the night with one of their strongest starts of the season, shooting an impressive 7-12 from the field and 3-3 from beyond the arc in the first quarter. Every basket Calvin made, Saint Mary's had an answer for in the quarter as they finished shooting 58% from the field. Senior Hannah Outlaw (Jones, MI) racked up seven points shooting 3-4 while freshman Liv Fry (Fort Wayne, IN) snagged three rebounds. The Belles stayed tight with the Knights, finishing the first quarter on top, 18-13. 
 
While Saint Mary's stayed hot to open the second quarter, Calvin found their footing as they got hot in the quarter. The Knights outscored the Belles 17-11 in the quarter to head into halftime with a one point, 30-29, lead. Outlaw led the team with nine points while senior Nicole Connolly (Mokena, IL) and sophomore Ella Notaro (Crystal Lake, IL) added six and five each. 

Heading into the second half, Saint Mary's went to the line 14 times knocking down 10 in the quarter alone. Outlaw and Notaro continued to hold down the Belles offense and defense, making key free throws and layups while helping the Belles make key stops as they trailed by three heading into the final ten minutes. 

Calvin got out to a ten-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, but Saint Mary's battled right back with seven straight points to cut it to a one possession lead. After two missed free throws from the Knights, the Belles had an opportunity to tie the game, but tough defense from Calvin took the ball away to close out the game. Giving Calvin the 61-57 win.

Outlaw led the Belles with 19 points on 6-9 shooting while also grabbing four rebounds. Notaro added 11 points, knocking down a three and going 4-6 at the line while Connolly added 10 points while shooting 4-6 from the field. Fry grabbed five rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Saint Mary's finished the night shooting 39.1% from the floor while grabbing 34 rebounds and forcing 18 turnovers.  
 
UP NEXT FOR THE BELLES
Saint Mary's will return home this Saturday, December 6 at 1pm to take on #9 ranked Hope College. The Belles will then hit the road starting with conference opponent Adrian College on December 10 at 7pm. They will finish their two-game road trip in St. Louis, Missouri to take on Webster University at 3pm on December 13.