Dec. 15, 2003

Box Score

Honolulu, HI - The Saint Mary's women's basketball team suffered a tough 75-71 loss to the University of Hawaii on Sunday night in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Gaels took an early lead and then went back-and-forth with the Rainbow Wahine in front of 3,331 fans at the Stan Sheriff Center before falling in the closing minute. With the loss the Gaels drop to 4-3 on the season, while Hawaii improved to 2-4. Saint Mary's will return to action Monday, December 15 when the face the University of Texas-Arlington at 3 p.m. HST.

With the Gaels trailing 69-66, Serena Benavente hit a 3-pointer to tie the game, but the Rainbow Wahine outscored Saint Mary's 6-2 over the final 48.8 seconds for the victory.

Saint Mary's was led by Triola Jackson and Monica Mertle, who each had 16 points and Benavente finished with 14 points, all coming in the second half. The Gaels finished the game with 21 team fouls compared to Hawaii's six and gave up a season high 75 points.

To start the second half, the Gaels took a four-point deficit and turned it into a four-point lead, 42-38, at the 16:44 mark before Hawaii called a timeout. Benavente opened the second half with six quick points to help spark the Gaels.

After the Gaels took a 44-38 lead, Hawaii answered with an 11-0 run to take a 49-44 lead with 12:45 left in the game. The Gaels stopped Hawaii's run after Savannah Williams made a layup at the 11:43 mark.

Saint Mary's came back with a run of their own to take a 63-58 lead, with 4:48 remaining in the game after back-to-back baskets back Jackson.

The Gaels opened up the game with a hot hand from the outside. Behind Jackson, Lauren Shaughnessy and Mertle, the Gaels opened up an 11-4 lead with just over 16 minutes remaining in the first half.

Saint Mary's opened up a 17-8 lead after Brianna Winn hit a 3-pointer from the left side of the floor. Hawaii answered with a 9-0 run to tie the game at 17-17 with over 12 minutes left in the first half. The Gaels finally broke their scoring drought when Mertle hit a jump shot at the 9:33 mark.

After falling behind for the first time in the half 25-23 at the 5:25 mark, Saint Mary's answered and took the lead back after Sheridan Arredondo scored back-to-back layups.

Hawaii closed the first half with a 4-0 run, all four points came off free throws as the Rainbow Wahine took a 36-32 at the half.

In the first half, the Rainbow Wahine had a 16-2 free throw advantage over the Gaels and Saint Mary's committed 10 team fouls compared to Hawaii's one team foul.

Saint Mary's was led by Jackson and Evynn Van Burger in the first half. Jackson had eight points and Van Burger had two 3-pointers for six points.