NEW ORLEANS – Another all-around impressive game for Saint Mary's crowned the Gaels champions of the Tulane Classic after defeating Old Dominion 83-65. Senior Sydney Raggio was named the Tournament's Most Valuable Player and sophomore Madeline Holland was named to the All-Tournament Team.

HOW IT HAPPENED
 

• QUARTER 1 | Saint Mary's got on the board first thanks to a pair of made free throws from Raggio who was fouled in the Gaels' first possession. Their next time down the court, junior Jasmine Forcadilla knocked down a 3-pointer to extend their lead to 5-0. The Monarchs responded with an 8-2 run to take an 8-7 lead, their first of the contest. However, the Gaels took the lead right back (11-10) when sophomore Emily Codding blocked and ODU 3-point attempt and brought it down the court for an uncontested layup. SMC made it a 7-point, 21-14 advantage with 1:03 to play after a trey from freshman Taycee Wedin and a layup from senior Megan McKay. This score stood for the remainder of the period.

 

• QUARTER 2 | The Monarchs pulled within two points (23-21) after starting the second quarter with a 7-2 run. However, quick offense by the Gaels gave SMC back a 7-point lead (32-25) with 6:11 to play in the half. An 8-2 Saint Mary's run stretched the Gaels' lead to nine points (36-27) with 2:56 remaining. Two minutes later, their advantage stretched to 14 (41-27) thanks to 5-consecutive free throws from Holland and junior Claire Ferguson. ODU scored in their next possession, but Holland made the final basket of the half, a layup with two seconds left to maintain their 14-point advantage at the half (43-29).

 

• QUARTER 3 | Old Dominion started the period with five unanswered points, but their run was cut short by a 3-pointer from Wedin. In fact, the Gaels' first three field goals of the quarter were 3-pointers, including a pair from Wedin. In fact, her last triple sparked a 11-point run for the Gaels which gave SMC a 20-point, 60-40 lead. SMC maintained their lead, ending the third quarter with a 65-45 advantage.

 

• QUARTER 4 | Codding gave SMC a pair of points to open the final period, stretching the Gaels' lead to 22 (67-45). A minute later, a Raggio layup made it a 24-point, 69-45 game. The Monarchs chipped away at the deficit and came as close as 13 points, but SMC did not falter and claimed the victory by the score of 83-65.

 
NUMBERS TO KNOW
 

• 23: No. of points for Raggio who was named the Tulane Classic Most Valuable Player
• 56.9: The Gaels' shooting percentage – they have shot over 50 percent five times this season
• 24: SMC's biggest lead of the game – claimed with 8:36 to play in the fourth quarter
• 4: No. of Gaels with double-digit points – their fourth time this year with four of more players in double-figures
• 42-35: Rebound ratio between SMC and Old Dominion respectively - sixth-straight game the Gaels have collected more than 40 rebounds (seventh overall)

 
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

MVP: Sydney Raggio, Saint Mary's
Madeline Holland, Saint Mary's
Sierra Cheatham, Tulane
Brooke Holle, Texas State
Amari Young, ODU
Taylor Edwards, ODU
 
QUOTABLE
 
"Maddy and Sydney did the work and deserved the Tournament MVP and All-Tournament Team accolades," said head coach Paul Thomas. "They would be the first to say, though that their success was based upon a team effort and team philosophy. We are thrilled to be the champions of the prestigious Tulane tournament. All members of our squad contributed in some fashion."
 
COMING UP
 
Saint Mary's ends their non-conference schedule with a 7-4 record. The Gaels will now have a break for the holidays, but will return to action on December 31 for their first West Coast Conference game against Pacific at 5:00 p.m.