FREMONT, Neb. – Both teams entered the Great Plains Athletic Conference contest in search of their first conference win Wednesday night. Unfortunately for the Flames, it was the Midland University Warriors that were able to claim that victory.

Midland defeated College of Saint Mary 69-42.

The Warriors jumped to an early 19-4 lead in the opening quarter and never looked back.

"I really felt like we'd be ready to play tonight, but we weren't ready from the get-go," CSM Coach Kirk Walker said. "They outworked us, out-toughed us and outhustled us."

The Flames outscored the home team 18-13 in the second quarter to close the gap and trail 32-22 at the intermission. Midland bested CSM 20-12 in the third quarter and 17-8 in the final frame to secure the win.

College of Saint Mary shot 37 percent for the night, 13 percent from long distance and 75 percent from the free-throw line. Midland was 42 percent, 38 percent and 79 percent, respectively. The Warriors outrebounded the Flames 36-31 in the game.

Tia Murray returned from injury and had a team-high 12 points for CSM. Teammate Sidney Anderson scored eight points, grabbed 12 rebounds and swatted away five blocks. Madison Camden finished with seven points and Jazmyne Villalobos added six.

"This was the first game that Tia and Sid had a chance to play together and we were just out of sync," Walker said. "Our inability to find shots inside is something I have to figure out. We collectively have to figure out how we can be more successful offensively and we have to be much more willing to guard if we want to win games."

The loss drops CSM to 0-9 in the GPAC and 1-13 overall. Midland is now 1-8, 4-11.

The Flames resume action Saturday with a 2 p.m. home contest against Dakota Wesleyan University.