IRVINE, Calif. — Fresh off their first game in California this season, Saint Mary's Women's Basketball has announced a change to their scheduled week of hoops. Originally slated to head to Ohio State for a non-conference affair, the Gaels have decided to stay in-state due to COVID-19 restrictions and take on UC Irvine on Wednesday afternoon.
 
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels (0-4) at UC Irvine Anteaters (1-2)
Wednesday, December 16 at 2:00 pm
Bren Events Center – Irvine, Calif.
Live Stats
 
Saint Mary's was initially scheduled for a Tuesday contest against 15^th-ranked Ohio State, but the ever-changing state of COVID-19 has prevented the Gaels from traveling outside of California. That left the schedule with another void of ten days before their home opener against Nevada, so Saint Mary's looked down south for another non-conference opponent. Enter the Anteaters of UC Irvine, who are 1-2 on the young season and have lost a game against WCC-rival LMU.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Saint Mary's fought hard and were in a competitive ballgame against Fresno State on Friday night, but ultimately dropped the contest 90-71. The Gaels were down by just two points after leading by as many as nine in the first half. Saint Mary's saw three shooters earn double-digits in points – Taycee Wedin (19), Jade Kirisome (18), and Tayla Dalton (11).
 
GRABBING BOARDS
Saint Mary's has been one of the best rebounding teams in the NCAA, entering the Friday's contest ranked 2^nd in the WCC in rebounds per game. That was on display again against Fresno State, with Saint Mary's dominating the glass. The Gaels grabbed 20 rebounds in the first half, en route to 44 in the game. It was another in a growing list of strong rebounding performances from Brianna Simonich, who finished the game with 13 rebounds. Perhaps as impressive was the amount of offensive rebounds the Gaels grabbed, totaling 22 in the contest. Finau Tonga brought in four offensive rebounds to help her game total of eight.
 
ABOUT UC IRVINE
Members of the Big West, UC Irvine is looking to improve on a 2019-20 season that saw them go 13-18 overall, but 9-7 in conference play. After being knocked out in the Big West playoffs in the first round, the Anteaters dropped their first two games of this season to Cal Baptist and LMU before picking up a win one week ago against NAIA-opponent Westmont College, a 91-78 win in overtime. Through three games, Kayla Williams has been the big performer offensively for UC Irvine, leading the way with 16.3 points per game, though she is only shooting 31% from the field overall.
 
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