Lady Aggies escape with win over St. Mary's

GAME BOXSCORE >>

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Dec. 31) -  Sophomore Melisa Steen had her best game as a Lady Aggie Wednesday night, leading Cameron to a 56-53 victory over St. Mary's (Texas) University. The 6-2 transfer from Oklahoma State posted a season-high 17 points and tied a season high with seven rebounds, helping hold off a late charge by the Rattlers to move the Lady Aggies to 5-4 on the season.

St. Mary's had a chance to win the game in the final seconds, but Nicole Brantley's three-point attempt was off the mark. Steen grabbed the rebound and was immediately fouled, hitting one of two free shots to forge the final score. Steen scored the last three points of the game for Cameron, accounting for the margin of victory.

Cameron now turns its attention back to Lone Star Conference play. The Lady Aggies will visit Abilene Christian on Saturday before travelling to Angelo State for a Monday contest.

Steen led the Lady Aggies in both scoring and rebounding Wednesday night against the Rattlers. Reserve guard Tiffany Williams added 15 points, including a 6-of-6 effort from the free throw line. All seven Cameron players who saw action in the game scored at least two points.

St. Mary's (6-7) received another solid performance from standout Erin Griffin, who led all players in the game with 18 points and 14 rebounds.

Coach Dick Halterman's squad trailed only once in the game, as St. Mary's got off to a 2-0 lead on a Griffin layup just 10 seconds into the contest. But Cameron answered with a three-pointer by Electa Hare at the 19:38 mark that sparked a 16-1 Lady Aggie run. CU led by as many as 13 in the opening period before settling for a 31-20 halftime advantage.

St. Mary's managed to keep the Cameron lead under double-digits for much of the second half, but a stingy Lady Aggie defense that forced 18 turnovers and held the Rattlers to a 31.1 shooting percentage in the game kept CU on top.

Cameron, meanwhile, posted a 42.9 shooting percentage (18-of-42), including a 42.9 percent (6-of-14) effort from three-point range.