RICHMOND, Indiana – The Mount St. Joseph women's basketball team put together a complete performance on Saturday afternoon, pulling away in the second half to earn a 76–54 victory over Earlham College in HCAC action. The game was moved to Earlham, and the time changed from 1:00 PM to to 10:00 AM to avoid incomming weather, and the changes did not disrupt the Lions.
The Lions set the tone early, using strong defensive pressure and efficient shooting to build a 16–10 lead after the opening quarter. Earlham responded in the second, matching MSJ point-for-point, but the Lions carried a six-point advantage into halftime as they continued to control the pace of play.
Mount St. Joseph created separation coming out of the break. The Lions erupted for 23 points in the third quarter, sparked by timely shooting from the perimeter and active defense that led to transition opportunities. MSJ limited Earlham to just 13 points in the period, stretching the lead to double digits and firmly swinging momentum in the home team's favor.
The Lions maintained their intensity in the fourth quarter, closing out the game with balanced scoring and disciplined defense to secure the 22-point win.
Karlee Mills led the way offensively for Mount St. Joseph, pouring in 26 points and connecting on six three-pointers. The Lions also received strong contributions throughout the lineup, with solid rebounding and efficient scoring helping MSJ control the glass and capitalize on Earlham turnovers. MSJ's bench played a key role as well, providing a steady boost and helping sustain energy on both ends of the floor.
Defensively, the Lions forced turnovers and limited Earlham's scoring opportunities, particularly after halftime, allowing MSJ to dictate tempo and maintain control throughout the final two quarters.
Mount St. Joseph will look to carry the momentum forward as they welcome Franklin into the Harrington Center on Tuesday with tip-off scheduled for 5:00 PM.
