LAS VEGAS — In the second day of the 2020 University Credit Union West Coast Conference Tournament, Saint Mary's Women's Basketball raced out to a great start against the sixth-seeded Pepperdine Waves. While the Gaels were playing hot from the get-go, the Waves were able to find their stroke in the second half, ultimately delivering an 87-72 loss to the Gaels, ending their season in the second round of the tournament with a record of 12-19.
 
LIGHTIN' IT UP
 
The Gaels were shooting the ball well out of the gates, knocking down four of their first five three-point attempts right away, putting up 18 points before the first timeout of the game. Tyra Moe hit a pair of threes in consecutive possessions, and it led to some fantastic numbers in the first half. The Gaels shot over 60% from the floor in the opening half, and 7-10 from three-point range. 
 
ONE MORE SIMONS SAYS
 
Friday marked the final in a season full of great performances for sophomore Sam Simons, who delivered a 24-point outing in defeat. She shot 19 times but made 10, going 4-6 from three-point range and ultimately coming just one-point shy of her season-best 25-point game against Western Kentucky back in November. On several occasions, Simons was hitting shots that propelled the Gaels on offense to extend their lead or begin making a comeback, but there wasn't enough support behind her to outpace the Waves.
 
SECOND HALF STRUGGLES
 
The Gaels did not shoot the ball poorly at any stage on Friday, but the Waves got it cranking in the second half to the tune of 50 points, including 28 in the fourth quarter. Three players for Pepperdine wound up scoring at least 19 points, with Hannah Friend leading the charge with 26. In the final three quarters of the game, the Waves were able to shoot 56% from the field, more than enough to eventually extend their lead over Saint Mary's and put them away in the fourth.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
 
While there certainly were struggles this season for the Gaels, the future looks awfully bright during the 2020-21 season. The Gaels will return Emily Codding from injury, and all three of the other leading scorers on the Gaels will return as well. In addition, a pair of ineligible transfers in Amy West and Jade Kirisome will be eligible to compete next season, meaning the Gaels will be deeper and more athletic come the new year. It should not surprise anyone to see the Gaels rebound nicely and approach the 20-win mark as they had in each of the last ten seasons under head coach Paul Thomas.
 
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