OMAHA, Neb. – For the fifth straight season, College of Saint Mary made the six-minute trip to take on the NCAA Division I Omaha Mavericks in an exhibition basketball game.

Even though Thursday's game doesn't factor in CSM's official record or statistics, the experience gained was very real.

One year after losing by 63, the Flames trailed just 25-21 at the 6:00 mark of the second quarter. However, the Mavericks wore down their opponent in the second half for an 88-47 victory at Sapp Fieldhouse.

"We did a good job getting downhill in the first half, but failed to keep that tempo and energy the second half,'' CSM Coach Natalie Miller said.

Omaha, which lost 100-35 at Kansas State on Monday, struggled to find a rhythm in the first 14 minutes against the fired-up Flames.

Freda Moore's two free throws pulled CSM within four at the 6:00 mark of the second quarter. However, Omaha ran off the next 10 points and went on to lead 43-30 at the intermission.

Standing just 5-foot-6, Flames point guard Jai'La Porter turned in a double-double in the first half, collecting 10 points and 10 rebounds. She finished with 18 points, hitting 7 of 9 from the field, and a whopping 15 rebounds, which was more than half of CSM's total of 29.

The last time a Flame grabbed at least 15 rebounds in a game was Jan. 26, 2022, when Clare Lewandowski snatched 15 against Doane University.

"She's definitely relentless on the boards,'' Miller said of Porter. "She does a great job attacking rebounds and using her athleticism.''

The Flames managed just 17 points in the second half as the Mavericks pulled away. Cora Olsen led Omaha with 25 points, while 6-0 freshman Avril Smith added three points and 21 rebounds.

For CSM, Moore added nine points and Kathryn Gaughen grabbed six rebounds. UNO outrebounded the Flames 52-29, and CSM turned it over 19 times to the Mavs' 12.

"We still need to work on seeing our kickouts and having multiple-effort possessions,'' Miller said.

CSM returns home for regular game action on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. with a nonconference matchup against Nebraska Wesleyan University.