Women split, dropped from post-season

It was a bittersweet night for the Saints women’s basketball team Wednesday as they fell 58-45 at home to the Chemeketa Storm.

The evening was highlighted by a sophomore presentation recognizing Emily Burch, Kelsey O’Neil, Melissa Carey and Haley Chovich, who were playing their last home game at MHCC.

The Storm, who have clinched a playoff berth and are now tied with the Clackamas Cougars for the number two position in the Southern Region with a 10-3 record, came out aggressively on offense against the Saints. The Saints did what they have done all season and battled back, shooting 54 percent from the field, but still ended the first half 15 points behind the Storm.

In the second half, the Saints didn’t back down, driving through the lane, taking hard fouls and refusing to quit.

The Saints, who still have one game left in the regular season, will miss out on the post-season this year. Currently the Saints are tied for fourth with the Southwestern Lakers with 5-8 record. The team, which started the season under new head coach Jocelyn McIntire, will not realize their goal of winning the Southern Region or NWAACCs.

The loss to the Storm follows a Feb. 18 victory for the Saints, who defeated the Southwestern Lakers 56-50 on the road. Saints scoring was led by sophomore Emily Burch who had 15 points and five rebounds.

The Saints will head to Albany Saturday for their final game of the season to play the Linn-Benton Roadrunners with a game start time of 4.p.m.