OMAHA, Neb. – It was a holiday showdown for the College of Saint Mary and Bellevue University basketball teams Saturday night. But neither team was in a very "giving" mood in the nonconference tilt.

Bellevue University knocked off CSM 92-66.

Both teams battled in the opening quarter and a 3-pointer at the buzzer gave the Bruins a 15-11 advantage. Bellevue outscored CSM 22-16 in the second frame to lead 37-27 at the intermission. Both teams made some adjustments in the third quarter and scored well as the Bruins canned 34 points and the Flames tossed in 26. Bellevue then outscored CSM 21-16 in the final frame.

"I asked our players to just compete tonight and I felt like we really did," CSM Coach Kirk Walker said.

The Bruins shot 53 percent from the floor, 44 percent from 3-point range and 71 percent from the free-throw line for a strong offensive night. CSM shot 35 percent, 15 percent and 92 percent, respectively.

"Bellevue took advantage of their size inside as they had 44 points in the paint," Walker said. "I felt like Maddie (Gaughen) and Ava (Schroeder) really worked hard, but we let them get a little too deep on their post catches.

"We were equal in turnovers and offensive rebounds – which was a goal going into the game. We've been shooting it OK the last few games, but couldn't get the perimeter shots to fall."

The Flames were playing without leading scorer Tia Murray, who was sidelined by injury. Murray, who is averaging 16 points and six rebounds per game, was named the GPAC Player of the Week earlier in the week.

ShyAnne Mayhue led College of Saint Mary with a season-high and game high 20 points. Teammate Madison Camden tossed in 13 points, Gaughen canned 12 and Schroeder finished with 11. Camden had a team-high eight rebounds and also grabbed two steals. Mayhue and Madison Guzman each dished out four assists.

"ShyAnne had her best game offensively tonight and it was good to see her be aggressive, finish and get to the line," Walker said. "I felt like Ava really played a mature game tonight. She didn't rush and just kind of settled in and let things come to her."

With the win, Bellevue improves to 6-6 on the season. With the loss, the Flames drops to 1-10.

College of Saint Mary is off for the holiday break until Dec. 30 when the Flames play host to Avila University in a 1 p.m. contest.

"Our players need Christmas break to get their bodies healthy," Walker said. "I feel like we have played two pretty good games in a row – now we just need to find a way to win one for our confidence. I'm really proud of how this young team is battling and working to improve."