ORLANDO, Fla. — In the final day of the 2019 UCF Holiday Classic, Saint Mary's was aiming to do something it had not done yet this season: win a game away from University Credit Union Pavilion. While their Saturday contest against St. Bonaventure was neutral site and not a technical away game, the Gaels were able to find some success away from home in a 72-57 victory, upping their record to 5-6 while dropping the Bonnies to 3-9.
 
ON THE RUN, PART I
 
The game got off to a sluggish start for the Gaels, who once again struggled to find their stroke early in the first quarter. This ended as the first quarter came winding down, as Saint Mary's went on a big run to separate themselves from the Bonnies. In a near-nine-minute span, the Gaels outscored the Bonnies 21-4, which turned a 13-12 deficit into a 33-17 lead. Everyone was joining in on the fun for Saint Mary's with Tyra Moe scoring seven points, Madeline Holland adding five, and Emily Codding knocking down two layups.
 
ON THE RUN, PART II
 
The Bonnies came out of the gates hot in the second half, scoring 9 of the first 11 points to cut into the 16-point lead the Gaels had built up. The tides turned quickly thereafter, with Saint Mary's closing out the third quarter on an 18-2 run, spanning the final six minutes of the period. The Gaels shot 10-18 from the floor in that quarter, and eight different players found the bucket.
 
I WILL SURVIVE
 
Despite carrying a 24-lead into the fourth quarter, things got very interesting when the Bonnies raced out to a 21-4 run of their own to begin the fourth quarter, making it 64-57 with three minutes remaining in the contest. The Gaels tightened up defensively after a timeout by head coach Paul Thomas, and immediately they found their stroke once again. Taycee Wedin was a big part of fending off the Bonnies, as she hit back-to-back threes to effectively ice the game and help the Gaels close out on an 8-0 run.
 
AMONG OTHER NUMBERS
 
This was the ninth game of the season in which the Gaels have outrebounded their opponent, and the fifth time it has been by 10+…Codding recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 14 points and 12 rebounds, tying a career-best in the rebound department…this marked the first win away from home this season, as it officially counts as a neutral-site contest…this is win number 497 in the career of coach Thomas, just three-shy of 500.
 
UP NEXT
 
West Coast Conference play officially begins after Christmas as the Gaels will travel to San Francisco to take on the Dons. Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday, December 28 at 2:00 pm. The first two games of WCC play are on the road for the Gaels, as they take on Santa Clara on December 30.
 
#GaelsRise – For ticket information to all home basketball games, call the SMC Ticket Office today at 925-631-4689 or click the ticket link here to purchase your seats now.