MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's returned home on Thursday night to take on the San Diego Toreros, but eventually fell 72-54.
 
PHYSICAL FIRST HALF
 
The Gaels had a difficult first quarter of action on Thursday as they were held to just eight points and committed 10 turnovers. San Diego played a full court press style game from the beginning of the contest and took advantage of 16 points off of turnovers in the first half. The Toreros also drew nine fouls through the first 20 minutes of action and SMC went 5-7 from the free throw line during that period. Saint Mary's came alive in the second quarter as they scored 15 points and shot 50 percent in the period, but San Diego remained in the lead and went into the half with a 31-23 lead.
 
WORKING WEDIN
 
Sophomore Taycee Wedin scored a majority of the points for the Gaels against USD as she went 6-for-14 on the night and ended with a team-leading 19 points. Wedin scored all but two of the points in the first quarter for the Gaels as she hit tconsecutive threes to get the offense going for SMC. She helped cut the Gaels' deficit in the third quarter as she hit three treys and went 3-5 during the period to bring SMC within 15 points of the Toreros. Wedin was also perfect from the free throw line (2-2) as well as collected six rebounds and two assists.

STRONG PERFORMANCES

Junior Madeline Holland scored 14 points (5-for-13) against the Toreros on Thursday night, which was good for second-most on the team. She recorded six rebounds (five defensive, one offensive) as well as six assists. Holland also shot 4-for-5 from the free throw line. Senior Claire Ferguson led the team with eight rebounds on the night (five defensive, three offensive) which is one of her higher rebounds totals on the season. Other noteworthy numbers include 16 points in the paint for Saint Mary's against San Diego and 10 points off the bench. The Gaels shot 39.1 percent from beyond the arc as they went 9-for-23 with Wedin making five. SMC went 5-for-9 in the third quarter from the three-point line, good for 55.6 percent.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Gaels continue their three-game home stand on Saturday with a matchup against the BYU Cougars at 2:00 p.m. The following week, SMC will only have one contest as they are set to play Pacific on Saturday, January 25 at 2:00 p.m. 
 
#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.