Feb. 14, 2008
Box Score
Moraga, CA - Freshman forward Louella Tomlinson recorded the performance of her career thus far, as she was just two rebounds shy of a triple-double in the Gaels' 59-57 victory over the Loyola Marymount Lions. The Aussie posted 12 points and eight rebounds, while setting a new career-high and Saint Mary's single game record, 11 blocks.
Lauren Shaughnessy and Jontelle Smith joined Tomlinson in double-digits, recording 12 and 10 points respectively. Three Gaels posted six points, in Sierra Chambers, Serena Benavente, and Lindsay Ellis.
The Gaels came out running against the Lions to start the first half, scoring12 points in the first four minutes of action. Smith sunk two baskets from long range in the Gaels 12-4 run, while also adding a two off a Benavente assists. LMU would not remain static on the offensive end, igniting to go on a 9-0 run and cutting the Gaels' lead to one, 14-13.
After the Lion's run play seemed to become a back-and-forth battle, but Saint Mary's once again used their uptempo style of play to charge past LMU, taking a ten point lead, 30-20, with 5:30 left in the first half. The Lions kept up with the Gaels speed throughout the first half, as there were very few fouls and dead balls throughout the game. At the half Saint Mary's held a 38-28 lead.
It was apparent the Gaels took high percentage shots throughout the first half, as they shot an impressive 50 percent from the floor (16-of-32). Saint Mary's shot 28.6 percent from three point land (2-of-7), while knocking down all four of their attempts at the free-throw line.
Leading the Gaels in the first half was Tomlinson with 12 points, five rebounds, and five blocks in 13 minutes of action. Smith was an immediate offensive spark to start the ballgame, recording all eight of her points in the first four minutes. The junior guard also picked up two steals and dished out one assist in the half. Rounding out the top scorers of the first half was Lauren Shaughnessy and Sierra Chambers with six points apiece.
The Gaels forced LMU into their first timeout of the second half at the 18:36 mark, after going on a 4-0 run and extending their lead to 14 points. After the timeout the game got a little more interesting, as the Lions began to cut down the Gaels lead.
Saint Mary's who once held a 14 point advantage saw their lead diminish as the Lions pulled to within two, 55-53, with 5:33 minutes left in the ball game. With the two point lead in hand at the 1:11 mark, Benavente approached the free throw line for a one-and-one opportunity, knocking down both to improve the Gaels' led to four. Jenna Sybesma responded by getting to the rack for two points, to draw within two with 50 seconds remaining.
A Smith three with two seconds on the shot clock and 19 seconds on the game clock did not fall for the Gaels, but the extra effort by Benavente on the offensive board was what Saint Mary's needed, regaining possession and forcing the Lions to foul. Benavente missed the front end of her second one-and-one situation, but it would not end up harming Saint Mary's as LMU was unable to convert their two looks at the basket.
Saint Mary's defeated the Lions 59-57 in their second match-up of the year, marking the second time that the game came down to a two point margin.
The Lions were led by Jenna Sybesma with 18 points and Amanda DeCoud with 12. Valerie Ogoke pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds in the ball game, while adding five points.
The team returns to action against the Pepperdine Waves on Saturday, February 16 at 2:00 pm.
