OMAHA, Neb. – Sports are a results-oriented business, and the College of Saint Mary basketball team didn't achieve what it had hoped in terms of wins and losses this season.

The Flames' 2024-25 campaign ended Saturday with a 76-52 Great Plains Athletic Conference loss to Midland University at the Lied Fitness Center. They finished 1-27 overall and 0-22 in conference play, but that didn't diminish the feelings Coach Natalie Miller has for the young women who battled to the finish line.

"Seeing our ladies tough it out and continue to have fun with each other and continue to love on each other is something that I think is really special,'' she said. "To still have that in a season like ours – to still have the culture and the fun moments and the inside jokes and all that, while maintaining a pride in our work – is something that is really hard to do, and so I'm very proud of our ladies. It's just a good group.''

For the second straight game, the Flames were in contention late in the third quarter. Madelyn Gaughen's free throws pulled CSM within 52-42 at the 3:56 mark of the third. The Flames then had two chances to cut it to single digits, but came up empty. Midland (5-23, 5-17) scored eight of the next 10 points to open some breathing room, and it gradually pulled away.

For a variety of reasons, including several key injuries, the Flames dressed only seven players on Saturday.

"I think today fatigue definitely got us in a lot of moments, only having seven,'' Miller said.

Gaughen carried the Flames on Saturday, finishing with 24 points and seven rebounds. She made 6 of 11 from the field and 12 of the 13 from the line, attacking the basket throughout the game.

"She is just such an impressive player,'' Miller said. "She's someone who just works so hard, no matter what the score is. … She's just a great person, a great kid, a great player. She's the kid that you want on your team. There is no team in the country that wouldn't be happy to have G on their team.''

Haley Debuse and Ella Klusman each added 10 points and six rebounds, while Maura Tichota also grabbed six boards.

Miller said there will be brighter days ahead for the program, which started three freshmen on Saturday.

"We obviously have a very young team,'' she said. "The returners that we do have had to step into roles they haven't previously had. It's a tough year for a lot of new positions and new responsibilities, and having freshmen have to step into tough roles.''