OMAHA, Neb. – A promising start for College of Saint Mary on Saturday fell victim to Northwestern College's offensive rebounding and pressure defense.

The Flames trailed just 17-13 after one quarter, but the Red Raiders quickly opened some breathing room in the second and went on to an 83-39 Great Plains Athletic Conference basketball victory at the Lied Fitness Center.

CSM (1-8 overall, 0-6 GPAC) trailed 22-15 with 6:30 left in the first half after Jazmyne Villalobos made a jumper. But the Red Raiders (6-3, 4-1) closed the half on a 19-2 run to lead 41-17 at the intermission.

"I felt like our fight this game was a lot better than it has been the last couple weeks,'' CSM Coach Natalie Miller said. "Our first half, I have yet to see all of us dive on the floor like that, hustle after a loose ball like that. It wasn't just one play. One time we had three players on the floor. That's exciting to me and that makes me really proud of our kids. It's just sustaining that and keeping that fight up through the length of the game.''

Northwestern grabbed 22 offensive rebounds to keep many possessions alive. They also forced 24 CSM turnovers.

"What killed us was offensive rebounds and turnovers," Miller said.

Sophomore Makenna Earnest gave the Flames a huge spark in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 of her team-high 12 points. She added five rebounds in only 13 minutes of action.

"She plays hard, non-stop flying around,'' Miller said. "Makenna's just someone who's very consistent in her energy and her attitude, in her effort. She's someone who I never have to worry about how she's going to show up to practice. She could have a million things going on in her life, but when she shows up, she's dedicated and she's focused and she's ready to push herself. I felt like today was a glimpse of what it looks like when her mind slows down to catch up with her body.''

Madelyn Gaughen added 11 points and six rebounds for CSM, while Haley Debuse pitched in seven points and two blocks along with strong post defense.

"Haley did a phenomenal job guarding today,'' Miller said.

CSM returns to action Monday when it makes the 20-minute trip to Bellevue University for a 7 p.m. non-conference game.