MIDWAY, Ky. - Though there were encouraging moments, a new-look Midway women's basketball team couldn't gel for 40 minutes, as Saint Francis (Ind.) outscored the Eagles 26-14 in the fourth quarter, spoiling the debut of new coach Kylee Gorby with a 75-59 win at Midway Sunday.

After the Cougars scored six straight points to take a 33-27 lead into halftime, the Eagle defense came alive in the third quarter, emplemeting a full-court press Saint Francis struggled to adjust to.

The Eagles went on an 8-0 run in just over a minute to open the quarter and held a 45-42 lead after a Jacie Chesser layup and an offensive foul on the other end, the Cougars' seventh turnover of the third quarter.

But it would be their last, and a pair of Taylor Fordyce layups kick-started a 7-0 run to close the quarter, as Saint Francis stayed in control the rest of the way.

The reserve tandem of Ally Madden and Fordyce gave the Eagles fits all day. Madden displayed great footwork in the low post on her way to a 23-point, 10-for-11 performance. Fordyce added 18 points and the Cougar bench outscored Midway's 55-5.

The Eagles also struggled to get anything going from the outside, making just three of 27 attempts from 3-point range.

Jaiden Douthit had 16 points to lead Midway. Sereniti Webb had 12 points and nine rebounds with Jermyra Christian also finishing in double figures with 10.

The Eagles now head to Montgomery, Ala. for the Jimmy Faulkner Classic next Friday and Saturday. They face host Faulkner on Friday and Brewton-Parker (Ga.) Saturday.

Follow Midway Eagles Athletics