March 8, 2008
Box Score
San Diego, CA - Saint Mary's women's basketball was unable to advance to the WCC Championship, as Gonzaga displayed why they were named the regular season champs, topping the Gaels 84-61. With the loss Saint Mary's finishes the season 15-17 overall, 6-8 in the regular season, and 1-1 in the WCC tournament.
"I just want to say how proud I am of everyone in a red jersey tonight, said Head Coach Paul Thomas. "These girls played very hard and are very competitive. We will continue to build on that and keep taking steps in the right direction of becoming champions like Gonzaga."
Louella Tomlinson finished her freshman campaign with 25 points against the Bulldogs, while clinching the NCAA Div. I record for blocks in a single season, tabbing four in the game and finishing the year with 156 total blocks. The Aussie shot over 50 percent from the floor in the contest, knocking down 9-of-17, while adding 6-of-8 from the free throw line. With 25 points in the contest the freshman was just one point away from tying her career-high of 26 points, the forward also added eight rebounds.
The only other Gael to record double-digits was Sierra Chambers, posting 12 points as she was 6-of-8 from the floor and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line.
Saint Mary's struggled to take care of the ball throughout the first half, as they totaled 15 turnovers to the Bulldogs' four. The majority of the turnovers were unforced, as Gonzaga only totaled five steals. The Bulldogs took advantage of Saint Mary's errors, tabbing the majority of their points off Gael mistakes.
Despite the fact that the Bulldogs held a height advantage in almost every match-up, Saint Mary's out worked their opponent on the boards, posting 25 to Gonzaga's 18.
Tomlinson led Saint Mary's with nine points in the half, while Mikaela Cowles recorded the next best, adding five. Heather Bowman posted a game-high 14 points in the half, while pulling down five rebounds. At the break the Bulldogs led 42-28.
The Gaels started the second half with an instant spark, as Saint Mary's cut Gonzaga's lead to 10, just three minutes into play. Throughout the rest of the second half the Gaels would continue to creep to as close as 10 points, but were unable to get over the hump as they were defeated 84-61.
Player of the Year, Heather Bowman, finished with a double-double and game-high 26 points and 12 rebounds.
The WCC Tournament second round loss marks the Gaels' last game of the 2008 season.
