HELENA — The No. 5-ranked Carroll College women's basketball team clashed with Stephens College (Mo.) on Thursday for its annual "Scream Game" at the PE Center. This was the first-ever matchup between the teams.
The Jamie Pickens-led Fighting Saints utilized the home crowd as nearly 3,200 local elementary and middle school students filled the gym on the way to a 62-50 victory.
![Carroll College 2023 Scream Game](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a9b6520/2147483647/strip/true/crop/640x480+0+0/resize/640x480!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fewscripps-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fce%2Ff4%2F65395c26461bb73e10347d70f07b%2Fimg-5932.jpg)
With high levels of noise to start the game, Carroll jumped out to an 8-1 lead in the opening quarter, but the visiting Stars seized on an early advantage due to a couple of speedy fouls from the 6-foot-2 Pickens.
Carroll hung on to a one point advantage after the first quarter and eventually stretched the lead to six, 29-23, heading into the halftime intermission.
In the fourth quarter, Willa Albrecht continued her strong play, broadening Carroll's lead with a tough lay-in as she would finish the game with 11 points.
The crowd's determined efforts helped push the Saints late as they secured their third victory of the season.
![2023 Scream Game](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e9c31a6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/640x480+0+0/resize/640x480!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fewscripps-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F26%2F55%2F0fcf65304438ab52bb6479c8c494%2Fimg-5933.jpg)
Carroll shot 43% in the comfort of the home arena while Stephens College struggled from the field at 30%. Free throws also went in the favor of the Saints, who made 16of 17 from the line, with the Stars shooting well below their average at 9 for 16.
Carroll will be on the road to face the College of Idaho on Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.