SAN DIEGO — Tuesday afternoon hoops is a rarity in West Coast Conference play, but not during a COVID-affected season. After the San Diego Toreros had to postpone a conference game against Saint Mary's a few weeks back, the two teams made it up on Tuesday afternoon inside Jenny Craig Pavilion. San Diego came out strong but looked like a team that had not played in 22 days, as Saint Mary's used a strong second half to beat USD 63-56. With the win, the Gaels have won three in a row for the first time this season, with a record of 5-10 (3-6) while San Diego falls to 5-4 (2-2).
 
HOW 'BOUT THAT DEFENSE?
A staple for the Gaels in wins this season has been their ability to shut a team down defensively. The Gaels have not won a game this season when their opponent shoots over 40%, and on Tuesday against San Diego, the Toreros did not meet that mark. After allowing 22 points in the first quarter, Saint Mary's held the Toreros to just 15 points in the second and third quarters combined, including just four points in the second quarter. Taking away the first quarter, Saint Mary's held the Toreros to just 28.7% shooting, 2-12 from beyond the arc, and forced 17 total turnovers.
 
COUNTING CROCOS
After being shut out in Saturday's win over LMU, Ellie Croco rebounded in a big way. She was a late addition to the starting lineup, and in her second collegiate start, she put up her best game. Croco delivered a career-best 16 points in the Gaels win, going an even 7-14 from the floor, and grabbed nine rebounds, which was also a career-best. Every time Saint Mary's has needed a bigger performance from the freshman out of Lebanon, Oregon, she has delivered.
 
HATS OFF TO HANAFIN
With the late lineup change, the Gaels were short-handed on Tuesday, and that left more playing time for Leia Hanafin. The freshman came through in big way for Saint Mary's, reaching ten points for the first time in her collegiate career. She went 4-7 from the floor but contributed in many areas, with three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block. Her big highlight from the game came at the end of the third quarter, when she stepped inside the arc and hit a long-two from the top before the buzzer went off, giving the Gaels a 46-37 lead. She played 29 minutes on Tuesday, eight more than in any game this season.
 
REVERSING THE TREND
When the Gaels were struggling earlier in the WCC play, they were struggling in the second half of games. Tuesday's win over San Diego was quite the opposite, where not just their defense turned it up a notch in the final half, but the offense did as well. In the second half, Saint Mary's shot an impressive 59.3% from the field, taking advantage of every opportunity they got. It was strong second halves that got Madeline Holland up to 13 points and Taycee Wedin in double-figures with 12.
 
UP NEXT
Saint Mary's heads home and will play two games to close out the month of January. First up is Portland on Thursday afternoon at 1:00 pm, and then #18 Gonzaga on Saturday at 1:00 pm. Thursday's game is also part of a doubleheader with the men's basketball team as both celebrate Australian Heritage Night.