WBK: Gaels Grind Out 78-76 Win Over Pilots
1/30/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
| MORAGA, Calif. - The Saint Mary's women's basketball team trailed much of the afternoon but came up with key offensive rebounds and defensive stops in a 78-76 win over Portland on Saturday at McKeon Pavilion. Danielle Mauldin grabbed 12 rebounds in the game, but eight came on the offensive glass. Her offensive board late helped the Gaels turn a one-point deficit into a two-point lead. With the win, Saint Mary's improves to 13-9, 5-2 West Coast Conference while Portland drops to 12-10, 3-4 WCC. Jasmine Smith poured in a game-high 26 points on 9-for-16 shooting, including four three-point field-goals. Louella Tomlinson added a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds while Kate Gaze was in double figures with 12 points. Mauldin finished with seven points off the bench with 12 rebounds. Portland was led by ReZina TecleMariam with 23 points, while Alexis Byrd added 19 points off the bench. Tara Cronin finished with 17 points. After the Gaels scored the first five points of the game, Portland began to take control, building a 20-13 lead on a three-pointer by Cronin with 11:14 remaining. The Gaels would cut the deficit down to 27-26 on a bucket by Tomlinson, but the Pilots finished the half strong and led 35-30 at halftime. Portland continued to lead in the second-half, taking its largest lead of the game at 43-35 after another three-pointer by Cronin with 18:27 remaining in the game. Saint Mary's would chip away and took its first lead since the opening minutes at 55-54 on a fast-break lay-up by Smith with 11:06 remaining in the game. Portland took the lead on the next possession and would hold the lead until 1:38 remained in the game. With Portland ahead by one point, Amber Coatney knocked down two big free-throws to give the Gaels a 73-72 lead. Smith made the first free-throw, but missed the second, but like last time, Mauldin was there again to grab the board with the score tied. Smith converted both free-throws this time to give the Gaels a 78-76 lead with 3.1 seconds remaining. SMC had a foul to give and used it wisely, forcing POR to inbound the ball again, this time with 1.8 seconds left. Portland's inbounds pass was then deflected and stolen by Mauldin as the time ran out. Saint Mary's shot 47.3 percent in the game, outshooting Portland who shot 39.4 percent. The Pilots stayed in the game with the three-point shot, hitting 10, compared to six by SMC. The Gaels went 20-for-27 from the free-throw line, while Portland went 10-for-11. SMC outrebounded POR 42-36. Saint Mary's is back in action on Thursday, February 3rd when it takes on Pepperdine in Malibu. |
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