Dec. 28, 2003
Box Score
Moraga, CA - The Saint Mary's women's basketball team broke a two-game losing streak when they defeated Nevada 76-73 in overtime on Sunday afternoon at McKeon Pavilion. The Gaels jumped out to a 74-70 lead in overtime and hung on for the victory, which included six overtime points by Triola Jackson. The Gaels' victory improves their overall record to 6-5, while Nevada dropped to 1-9.
Saint Mary's, which was making its first home appearance since December 6 when they defeated UCLA, scored the most points in a game this season and are now 2-1 when they score over 70 points.
The Gaels were led offensively by Jackson, who scored a team-high 17 points and added nine rebounds. Saint Mary's had four players reach double figures, including Serena Benavente, who had 12 points; Monica Mertle added 11 points and five rebounds and Erika Urmonaite had 10 points four rebounds. The Gaels also received nine points from Lindsay Lopez, who was making her first appearance since December 6 after spraining her ankle and Lauren Shaughnessy added eight points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Saint Mary's and Nevada went back-and-forth over the final 10 minutes of the game; with the Gaels taking a 64-60 lead with 3:56 remaining after a Jackson basket. The Wolf Pack answered Saint Mary's run with an April Bankston layup and free throw to cut the Gaels' lead to 64-63.
After Benavente hit two free throws to put Saint Mary's up 66-63, Nevada's Jocelyn Mancebo hit a 3-pointer to tie the game with 41 seconds left in regulation. Jackson then made a layup with 30 seconds remaining, but Nevada answered when Talisha Quick-Rath made a layup with 19 seconds left in the game to tie the score at 68-68.
In the game, Saint Mary's shot 82 percent (23-28) as a team from the free throw line and shot 42 percent overall from the field. The Gaels also added 12 steals, including three each from Shaughnessy and Evynn Van Burger.
The Gaels also started four freshmen and one sophomore for the second consecutive game. Freshmen guards Shaughnessy and Benavente, forwards Mertle and Eghosa Obaiza and sophomore guard Van Burger rounded out the starting lineup.
In the first half the Gaels were led by Lopez and Urmonaite, who each had eight points, Mertle had six points and Benavente added four points. Saint Mary's shot 90 percent (9-10) from the free throw line in the first half and 48 percent from the field.
Saint Mary's returns to action on Tuesday, December 30 when they face Pacific at 7:05 p.m. at McKeon Pavilion.
