TROY — The North Country Community College women's basketball team stepped up its defense in the third quarter and used that to spark a second-half run en route to a 65-40 victory over Hudson Valley Community College Saturday.

The Saints held the Vikings to three points in the third quarter.

Romeira Tucker (13), Sydney Craig (13) and Brooke Howell (13) all finished in double figures for North Country.

"We really defended in that third quarter, and it made a huge difference for us," North Country coach Jerrad Dumont said. "We got out and ran and got easy buckets."

Chelsea Stevens led Hudson Valley with 11 points.

The Saints will host Word of Life Feb. 15 at 5 p.m.