Jan. 17, 2004
Box Score
Moraga, CA - The Saint Mary's women's basketball team took over sole possession of first place in the West Coast Conference with a 60-48 victory over previously undefeated Gonzaga on Saturday night at McKeon Pavilion. With the victory, the Gaels remain the only undefeated team in WCC action with a 3-0 record and improved to 11-6 on the season. The loss drops the Bulldogs to 3-1 in conference and 10-7 overall. The victory is also the Gaels' fourth in a row and sixth victory in their last seven games. The win also snapped Gonzaga's four-game winning streak.
The Gaels once again played outstanding defense, holding the Bulldogs to 34 percent (18-53) shooting from the field and 21 percent (3-14) from 3-point range. Saint Mary's also held Gonzaga to under 50 points, and the Gaels are now 7-0 when they accomplish that goal.
Saint Mary's fell behind 4-2 with 17:30 remaining in the first half, but never trailed after Serena Benavente made one of her game-high four 3-pointers to put the Gaels up 5-4 with 16:26 left in the first half. The Gaels opened up a 23-18 halftime lead after holding Gonzaga to 27 percent shooting in the first half.
In the second half, the Bulldogs cut the Gaels lead to 34-33 with 13:31 remaining in the game, but the Gaels answered with a 16-7 run to go up 50-40 with 8:38 left in the game and eventually sealed the victory with free throws and clutch shooting towards the end of the game.
The Gaels were led offensively by junior forward Triola Jackson, who scored a game-high 19 points and grabbed four rebounds. Saint Mary's also received a solid offensive effort from freshman Serena Benavente. Benavente made four 3-pointers and finished the game with 13 points. The Gaels' Evynn Van Burger added seven points and six rebounds, Monica Mertle had six points, Eghosa Obaiza had three points and a game-high eight rebounds and Lauren Shaughnessy added four points and a game-high four steals.
Saint Mary's returns to West Coast Conference action on Thursday, January 22 when they travel to San Diego, CA to face the University of San Diego at 7:05 p.m. at the Jenny Craig Center.
