Feb. 16, 2008

Box Score

Moraga, CA - The Saint Mary's women's basketball team was unable to hold of the Waves, as Pepperdine stole away the victory, 71-64. Junior guard Jontelle Smith led all players with 22 points on the night, shooting 8-of-17 from the floor, 3-of-6 from the three-point line, and 3-of-3 from the free throw line. The freshman from Australia, Louella Tomlinson, posted a double-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks. With the five blocks Tomlinson improved her total block count to 134 this season, tying the all-time record for blocks in a career. This statistic is very impressive due to the fact that Tomlinson is only in her first season as a Gael.

The first half was Gael basketball all the way; Saint Mary's came out running to start the game, and continued to implement their uptempo style. Pepperdine was able to stick with the Gaels throughout the first five minutes, as the score was tied 13 apiece at the 14:42 mark. Saint Mary's started to gain momentum, as the Gaels grabbed a two point lead at 11:52, and pushed past the Waves 29-24 with 6:36 left in the first half. Behind Smith Saint Mary's would go on a 6-0 run to extend the lead to double digits at the end of the half, 39-29.

At halftime Smith had recorded 20 of her 22 points in 17 minutes of action. Tomlinson, Mikaela Cowles, and Lauren Shaughnessy each posted four points in the first half, while Sierra Champers added three.

Saint Mary's shot 45.5 percent (15-of-33) from the floor, 50 percent (4-of-8) from long range, and 50 percent (5-of-10) from the free throw line. The Gaels held the Waves to 28.6 percent (12-of-42) from the floor and 16.7 percent (1-of-6) from the three-point line. In the first half the Gaels were out rebounded by 10 as the Waves pulled down 32 to Saint Mary's 22.

Pepperdine came out in the second half ready to make their mark on the offensive end. The Waves cut the Gaels lead to four at the 13:37 mark, 48-44. Pepperdine continued to frustrate Saint Mary's defensively, keeping the Gaels scoreless for multiple possessions. Eventually Pepperdine gained the lead on a Katie Menton three-pointer, 52-50. From that point Saint Mary's was unable to catch the Waves, as they were defeated 71-64.

The Waves were led by Daphanie Kennedy with 20 points, while also adding six rebounds and two assists. Miranda Ayim ignited for Pepperdine on boards, pulling down a game-high 18 rebounds, while adding 19 points, seven rebounds, and one assists. With the win the Waves improve to 2-9 in the West Coast Conference.

The Gaels return to action next weekend against San Francisco and San Diego. San Francisco will be Saint Mary's first opponent of the week, as the Gaels travel across the Bay to face the Dons on Thursday, February 21 at 7:00 PM.