Women's Basketball Notches First Win of Season

Friday, November 25

McKeon Pavilion

7:05 PM

Saint Mary's College of California

$ Princeton

Women's Basketball Notches First Win of Season

11/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball

Nov. 25, 2005

Box Score

Moraga, CA - The Saint Mary's women's basketball team earned their first victory of the season on Friday night, beating Princeton 75-70 and they also advanced to the finals of the Hilton Concord Thanksgiving Classic at McKeon Pavilion. The Gaels will face Butler in the finals at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday night at McKeon Pavilion. Butler beat Central Florida in the first game of the tournament.

With the win the Gaels improve to 1-2 on the season, while Princeton fell to 1-2. Butler improved to 1-1 and Central Florida dropped to 1-2.

Saint Mary's jumped out to a 33-28 halftime lead, as they shot 38.5 percent from the field. But in the second half the Gaels came out shooting the best they have all season, 50 percent from the field and opened up an 11-point lead. Saint Mary's hung on down the stretch to pull out the victory.

The Gaels were led offensively by freshman Jontelle Smith. Smith, making her first collegiate start, scored a career-high 20 points and added four assists and five rebounds. Smith scored 16 points in the Gaels' last game against Washington State on Sunday.

Saint Mary's junior center Sheridan Arredondo, also making her first start of the season, scored 12 points and added six rebounds, Monica Mertle scored 11 points and Brianna Winn had 10 points and four steals.

Princeton was led by freshman Jessica Berry, who scored a game-high 30 points and added six assists. Meagan Cowher and Becky Brown each added 10 points.

As a team the Gaels shot 44.6 percent for the game, 40.0 percent from 3-point range and 70.8 percent from the free throw line. The Gaels forced Princeton into 27 turnovers and had 15 steals.

Butler 69, Central Florida 57

The Bulldogs opened up the tournament with a 69-57 win, with Lade Akande leading the way with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Ellen Hamilton added 16 points, including four 3-pointers.

Central Florida was led by Francine Houston, who scored 19 points and added three rebounds. Shelby Weber scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the loss.