Feb. 28, 2008

Box Score

Moraga, CA - Saint Mary's women's basketball recorded a 64-58 win over the Portland Pilots, improving to 14-15 overall and 6-7 in West Coast Conference. The Gaels saw equal distribution throughout the game, as Louella Tomlinson and Lauren Shaughnessy each recorded double-doubles with 19 points and 11 and 10 rebounds respectively. Jontelle Smith joined the two Gaels in double digits, adding 15 points.

Tomlinson also picked up six blocks in the game, increasing her total block count to 145 on the year. Tomlinson is just seven blocks away from tying the NCAA record for blocks in a season, and with 145 blocks has tied the NCAA freshman single season block record.

Shaughnessy was the most efficient Gael of the night, as she went 6-of-8 from the floor, while knocking down 7-of-8 free throws. The senior guard pulled down seven defensive and three offensive rebounds, while adding two assists and two steals.

Prior to the competition both the Pilots and Gaels held a 5-7 mark in the WCC, looking to improve their records prior to the seeding of the WCC tournament. The game proved to be a battle as the score was tied 11 times and the lead was exchanged 10 times. Neither team posted a large advantage in any statistical category. The Gaels shot 36.1 percent to the Pilots' 32.9 percent from the floor, Portland out rebounded Saint Mary's by one, 46 to 45, and each team recorded 21 turnovers.

With the score tied at the 8:33 mark in the second half, the Gaels turned up the heat, grasping the lead on a lay-up by Tomlinson. The two by the Aussie would be the first basket of Saint Mary's 11-3 run, as the Gaels tabbed an eight point lead with 3:44 remaining in the game. The Aussie posted eight of the eleven points in the run, off three consecutive lay-ups and a jumper. From that point Saint Mary's held the advantage, defeating the Pilots 64-58.

Portland was led by Allyson Sievers in the competition, recording a game-high 24 points on 10-of-16 shooting. Laiken Dollente tossed in 18 points for the Pilots, while Rachel Warren added 10.

Saint Mary's returns to action on Saturday, March 1 in their final home appearance of the year. The Gaels will honor their two seniors, Lauren Shaughnessy and Sereana Benavente, in their final game in McKeon Pavilion, as the Saint Mary's faces the Gonzaga Bulldogs at 2:00 PM.