OMAHA, Neb. - Cora Olsen scored a career-high 25 points in leading the Omaha women to an 88-47 win over St. Mary (Neb.) on Thursday night at historic Sapp Fieldhouse.
It also marked the first win for new head coach
Jamie Carey.
Olsen, a junior from Millard South, scored 18 in the first half and had 25 three minutes into the third quarter. Her previous career high was 22. She helped Omaha pull away after it led by four midway through the second quarter.
Carey said she saw areas of improvement after the Mavs lost their opener 100-35 at Kansas State on Monday.
"One was we able to get in the paint and find open people," Carey said. "We had 22 assists on 31 field goals."
The Mavs also controlled the glass as they finished with a 52-29 edge. Freshman
Avril Smith controlled the glass with 21 boards, including nine on the offensive end.
"Avril gets her hands on everything," Carey said. "She had 21 rebounds and we'll watch the film and see she probably had 20 deflections."
Four Mavs finished in double figures as
Sarai Estupiñan added 18 points and hit four of the team's 14 3-pointers,
Leekaya Burke Perryman had 12 points and
Ali Stephens added 10.
Omaha, which never trailed, broke away from an 11-11 tie midway through the first quarter when Burke Perryman hit three 3s in less than three minutes.
St. Mary still was within 25-21 with six minutes left in the first half when Omaha quickly scored 10-straight.
Olsen started that run by making a layup while being fouled. She missed the ensuing free throw, but Smith grabbed the rebound and found Olsen behind the arc for a 3-pointer and five-point possession.
On the next possession,
Elsa Vedral sank a transition 3 from the right corner, then Olsen finished the run with another layup.
St. Mary never got closer than eight after that. Omaha went on a 13-0 run early in the second half to extend the lead to 58-35.
Omaha next plays three games in Utah beginning with Wednesday's contest at Utah Tech.
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