Jan. 15, 2004
Box Score
Moraga, CA - The Saint Mary's women's basketball team jumped out to an early 20 point lead, but needed overtime to hold off Portland, beating the Pilots 63-58 on Thursday night at McKeon Pavilion. The Gaels took an early 26-6 lead with 10:57 remaining in the first half and then outscored the Pilots 8-3 in overtime to improve to 2-0 in West Coast Conference action and 10-6 on the season. With the loss, Portland dropped to 1-2 in conference play and 5-10 overall.
Saint Mary's led the entire game, until Portland took its first lead of the game after a Khalila O'Rielly-Williams layup with 52 seconds remaining in the game. After empty possessions by both teams, the Gaels had a chance to go for the victory, but Serena Benavente's jumper was short with less than 10 seconds remaining.
The Gaels' Eghosa Obaiza grabbed the rebound and was fouled trying to make a layup with 6.2 seconds left in regulation. Obaiza, a 30-percent free throw shooter missed the first free throw, but made the second free throw to tie the game at 55-55. The Gaels then fouled Hanna Seltzer with 3.8 seconds left in the game after the Pilots threw the inbounds pass the length of the floor. Seltzer missed both free throws for the Pilots and the game went into overtime.
In overtime the Gaels outscored Portland 8-3, including four points from Evynn Van Burger and four points by Benavente.
In the game the Gaels were led by junior forward Triola Jackson, who scored a game-high 20 points and grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds. Jackson, a first team All-WCC selection last season faced off against O'Rielly-Williams, also a first team All-WCC selection last season. O'Rielly-Williams added 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Pilots.
The Gaels were also led by Van Burger, who added 14 points; Lindsay Lopez added seven points and Benavente had six points, all in the second half. Offensively Saint Mary's also received solid games by Lauren Shaughnessy, who had four points, five assists and three rebounds, Obaiza added three points and five rebounds and Sheridan Arredondo added four points and three rebounds off the bench.
Saint Mary's once again played a solid game defensively, to go along with their offensive effort. The Gaels held the Pilots to 38 percent shooting in the game and held them to 20 percent shooting from 3-point range. Saint Mary's shot 45 percent for the game and 33 percent from 3-point range.
The Gaels return to action on Saturday, January 17, when they face the Gonzaga Bulldogs at 7:05 p.m. at McKeon Pavilion.
