OMAHA, Neb. – The first seven-plus minutes of the basketball game told the story for College of Saint Mary on Thursday in the opening game of the MH Hospitality CSM Classic.

Clarke University blitzed the Flames early, to the tune of 25-4 out of the gate, and went on to post an 85-58 victory in the first game of the doubleheader at the Lied Fitness Center.

Doane University edged Peru State College 66-63 in the second game.

In the opener, it took far too long for CSM to get untracked.

"We did not come out strong and dug ourselves a huge hole,'' CSM Coach Natalie Miller said. "They did a good job pushing in transition and we did not talk well tonight or get back fast enough.''

Led by Zoe Kennedy, who finished with 21 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists, the Pride of Dubuque, Iowa, extended their lead to 50-21 at the half and 66-28 after three quarters.

The Flames exploded for 30 points in the fourth quarter, getting 13 from Madelyn Gaughen in the final 10 minutes and six more from Madison Keil.

Gaughen led CSM with 19 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Jai'La Porter and Haley Debuse joined Keil with eight points. The 5-foot-6 Porter grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds.

College of Saint Mary turned it over just 12 times, but shot 19 of 65 (29.2%) from the field, including 3 for 17 (17.6%) from 3-point range.

"Offensively, we rushed shots and let them dictate the pace of the game," Miller said. "Looking at tomorrow, we want to focus on moving the ball more on offense and putting pressure on the defense early.''

The event concludes on Friday with two more games. Doane will take on Clarke at 3 p.m., followed by Peru State and CSM around 5.