BUNKER — In a game that felt like a postseason preview, St. Vincent delivered when it mattered most.
Behind a clutch three-pointer from Brie Rubel late in regulation and a strong overtime finish, the Lady Indians edged Bunker 48- 45 on Feb. 13 in the People’s Community Bank Shootout, improving to 19-5 on the season. Bunker, ranked among the top teams in Class 1, fell to 19-3.
“It was a very, very tense game,” said St. Vincent coach Mel Kirn. “It was good competition for both of us.”
The Lady Indians had to battle early adversity. St. Vincent committed several fouls in the first half, allowing Bunker’s top player to get to the free-throw line repeatedly and helping the Lady Eagles stay in control.
Despite the foul trouble, St. Vincent stayed within striking distance and began to settle in as the game progressed. The Lady Indians improved their rebounding and execution in the second half, allowing them to remain in contention deep into the fourth quarter.
Bunker held a three-point lead with just over 30 seconds remaining in regulation before Rubel stepped up. The senior guard knocked down a clutch three-pointer to tie the game at 40-40, shifting momentum and sending the game to overtime.
“Brie came down and hit a big three to tie it,” Kirn said.
St. Vincent’s defense then came through, forcing Bunker into a difficult possession in the closing seconds to extend the game.
In overtime, the Lady Indians took control. St. Vincent outscored Bunker 8-5 in the extra period, getting key stops and converting opportunities at the other end to secure the win.
Kirn said rebounding and defensive adjustments made the difference down the stretch.
“We didn’t rebound really good the first half, but we picked that up in the third and fourth quarter,” he said. “That’s what kind of changed the game.”
Rylee Robinson led St. Vincent with 16 points, followed by senior forward Kate Rubel with 13.
The win capped a demanding stretch for St. Vincent and reinforced the Lady Indians’ ability to compete with top-tier opponents. Both teams entered the night ranked among the best in their respective classes, and the back-and-forth contest reflected that level of play.
'For St. Vincent, the victory provided a confidence boost with the postseason approaching.
“It was just a really good game,” Kirn said.
ST. VINCENT 62, DELTA 46
DELTA — In a matchup St. Vincent hoped would test its postseason readiness, the Lady Indians passed.
Behind balanced scoring, strong ball movement and timely defense, St. Vincent pulled away in the second half for a 62-46 win over Delta on Feb. 12.
“We knew it was going to be a really good game,” said St. Vincent coach Mel Kirn. “They’re playing really good ball, and we knew they were going to press and push the ball. Our girls did a very good job passing, rebounding and shooting.”
St. Vincent built a 16-13 lead after the first quarter and extended the margin to 35-21 at halftime. The Lady Indians maintained control throughout the second half, never allowing Delta to seriously threaten while matching the Ladycats basket for basket down the stretch.
Kate Rubel led St. Vincent with 19 points, while Brie Rubel added 18 and Rylee Robinson finished with 14. Sophie Verseman contributed 7 points as four Lady Indians scored in double figures or near it, highlighting the team’s offensive balance.
Defense and ball security proved equally important. St. Vincent forced 13 turnovers while committing just 5, allowing the Lady Indians to convert defensive stops into scoring opportunities and maintain momentum.
“We picked up our defense, did a little more pressing and trapping and got some turnovers,” Kirn said. “We went down and scored off those turnovers, and our half-court offense was really good when we didn’t have a fast break.”
St. Vincent also controlled the glass and shared the ball effectively, finishing with 18 assists and consistently finding open shooters and cutters.
Kirn said the performance reflected the team’s continued growth as the postseason approaches.
“Everybody was looking for each other,” he said. “They’re just playing really good ball together right now.”
ST. VINCENT 85, HERCULANEUM 20
HERCULANEUM — St. Vincent made sure there would be no doubt.
With the Jefferson County Athletic Conference small school championship on the line, the Lady Indians came out fast and never let up, rolling to an 85-20 win over Herculaneum on Feb. 9 to claim the outright conference title.
“We knew we had to play good and come out strong right off the bat to win the title,” said St. Vincent coach Mel Kirn. “And we did.”
The Lady Indians put the game away almost immediately. St. Vincent exploded for 31 points in the first quarter while holding Herculaneum to six, setting the tone for a dominant performance on both ends of the floor.
Brie Rubel led the charge with a game-high 33 points, including 21 in the first quarter alone, as she connected from both inside and beyond the arc. Rylee Robinson added 15 points, Kate Rubel finished with 11, and Sophie Verseman scored nine as all nine St. Vincent players found the scoring column.
“We didn’t breathe the whole game,” Kirn said. “We picked them up at half court, got turnovers and turned them into layups and fast breaks.”
The Lady Indians’ defense fueled their offense throughout the night. St. Vincent forced turnovers, controlled the boards and finished with 31 assists, consistently sharing the ball and creating high-percentage opportunities.
By halftime, St. Vincent led comfortably and continued to build separation in the second half, outscoring Herculaneum 46-14 over the final two quarters.
Kirn said he was especially pleased with his team’s focus, knowing the stakes.
“When you play somebody that’s only won four or five games, you can get complacent,” he said. “But our girls were focused, and they really set the tone early.”
The victory capped an undefeated conference run and secured the outright championship.
“It was a great effort,” Kirn said. “I was very happy with how we played.”
