The Lourdes women's basketball team was within a point with 6:47 left in regulation, but nationally-ranked Siena Heights closed the contest on a 16-2 run to down Lourdes 62-47 on Monday evening.
 
"I think we came out and played hard," said head coach John Kenger following the contest. "We just need to learn how to close games better. I'm proud of our effort overall."
 
The Gray Wolves opened the contest on an 8-3 run, capped by a Ramiah Henry (Toledo, Ohio/Waite) three-pointer, forcing a Siena Heights timeout with 6:34 left in the first quarter.
 
After the Saints (19-7, 12-5 WHAC) took a 13-12 lead, Samantha Enck (Toledo, Ohio/Whitmer) and LaTyrah Beasley (Toledo, Ohio/Bowsher) scored back-to-back buckets to give Lourdes a 16-13 lead through one quarter.
 
The Saints came out of the first period break on an 8-0 run to pull ahead 21-16, but Daija Stafford (Louisville, Ky./Moore) found a cutting Jami Hardy (Perrysburg, Ohio/Cardinal Stritch) for a layup to pull Lourdes within 21-18 with 6:06 left in the first half. The Gray Wolves would score the next nine points to regain the lead at 25-21 with 4:34 left in the half.
 
From there, Siena Heights closed the half on a 12-0 run to take a 33-25 lead at the intermission.
 
SHU scored the first five points out of the halftime break, but a Hardy jumper put a run to rest with a jumper, sparking five straight Gray Wolf points to cut the deficit to 38-30 with 3:32 left in the third.
 
Lourdes was able to force a SHU timeout with 2:55 left in the third after Enck hit a free throw and Mirandia Green (Toledo, Ohio/Whitmer) nailed a jumper after an offensive board to cut the deficit to 40-33.
 
Beasley hit a late jumper in the third period, helping the Gray Wolves get within 45-40 through three periods.
 
The Gray Wolves got even closer to open the fourth period after Christiana Jefferson (Toledo, Ohio/Notre Dame) found Green for a deep three to cut the lead to 45-43 with 8:49 left in the contest.
 
After Lourdes got within 46-45, Siena Heights would close the game out on a 16-2 run to claim the 62-47 victory.
 
Beasley led the way for Lourdes offensively, scoring 13 points. Miller added 10 points for Lourdes, while Ra'Zhane Newberry (Cleveland, Ohio/Euclid) pulled down a team-high eight rebounds.
 
The Gray Wolves finished 17-of-58 (29.3%) from the field, including 4-of-17 (23.5%) from three-point range. The Saints shot 17-of-44 (38.6%) from the floor, making 8-of-19 (42.1%) from beyond the arc.
 
Free throws proved to be a difference maker in the contest as SHU hit 20-of-28 (71.4%) and Lourdes finished 9-of-16 (56.3%) from the stripe.
 
The Gray Wolves (9-16, 4-12 WHAC) return home on Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. as they host Concordia (Mich.) in the nightcap of a double-header with the men's basketball team.