McDermott Scores 20, Pride Beat Pirates 81-42

PARKVILLE, Mo. – Led by Nicole McDermott's game-high 20 points, the Clarke University women's basketball team downed Park University 81-42 inside Breckon Sports Center on Saturday, giving the program its 13th-straight victory. 

McDermott opened up play with seven quick points in the game's first two minutes, en route to 10 first quarter points. The senior shot 8-for-13 from the floor, including an impressive 4-of-5 from deep, while also adding in six rebounds and three assists. 

Giana Michels scored 15 points and recorded a season-high four steals, tying Skylar Culbertson for the most in the game.  Tina Ubl added in 12 points for the Pride (20-2 overall, 14-2 Heart), going 55 percent from the floor, while also picking up five assists. 

Madison Lindauer rounded out double-digit scorers finishing with 10 points off the bench, shooting a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. 

The Pride shot 55.6 percent (10-18) in the first quarter, while the team's defense forced six Pirate (4-17, 2-14) turnovers to lead it 27-7. Michels and McDermott combined to score the first eight points of the second quarter to open up a 35-12 lead with 7:51 to play. Taylor Haase, Emma Kelchen, Lilly Schilling, Lindauer, and Michels all took turns at scoring the rest of the half, closing out the quarter with a 24 point advantage (47-23). 

The second half was dominated by Clarke, as the team shot 50 percent from beyond the arc and controlled the rebounding game, grabbing 23 boards to Park's 12. The Pride's lead ballooned up to 42 points, but a late two-point shot from Park prevented Clarke from tying its largest win of the season. 

Next up, the Pride continue play in the state of Missouri with a visit to Culver-Stockton College on Wednesday, Feb. 1. Tip is set for 5:30 p.m CT.