MORAGA, Calif. — When a team trails within one possession in the waning seconds, the best position is to be with the ball in your hands. That's what Saint Mary's Women's Basketball had on Thursday afternoon against Portland after nearly mounting an impressive comeback. The final shot rimmed out, and Saint Mary's fell just short in a 69-68 narrow defeat against the Pilots. With the win, the Pilots improve to 8-6 (5-3) while the winning streak is snapped for the Gaels (5-11, 3-7).
 
THAT FINAL POSSESSION
Saint Mary's had it all lined up perfectly as they celebrated Australian Heritage Day on Thursday. With about 18 seconds remaining, they inbounded the ball to Madeline Holland to set up the final possession. With a team-best 18 points to her credit thus far (and a season-best), Holland drained some clock before dribbling around defenders and entering the paint. She tossed up one of her patented jump shots from just in front and it did a 360-roll around the rim before falling to Ellie Croco for the offensive rebound. With less than two seconds remaining, the Gaels could not get up another shot and the Pilots secured the 69-68 win.
 
SIMONICH SCORING
Not far behind Holland in the points department was Brianna Simonich, who was one off a career-best with 15 points in the game Thursday afternoon. Most of her work was done in the second half, and specifically the third quarter. Simonich had 13 of her 15 points in the second half, with nine of those coming on four made shots in the third quarter as the Gaels erased a double-digit deficit. She also added four rebounds and was one shy of a season-best with four steals.
 
DOWN, BUT NOT OUT
The Gaels trailed 44-30 with 7:19 remaining in the third quarter before turning on the jets to close out the period. That's when Simonich got her game going, and Jordyn Boesel knocked down her only three-pointer of the contest. Down nine with one minute remaining, the Gaels got an and-one from Ellie Croco, who cashed in on the three-point play, and Simonich closed out the quarter with another bucket.
 
AMONG OTHER NUMBERS
Saint Mary's was outrebounded by five (34-29) for just the fourth time this season (all losses)…Saint Mary's forced 16 turnovers by the Pilots, one shy of the most they have forced all season (17 on Jan. 26 against San Diego)…the Gaels were able to stay within striking distance in the fourth quarter thanks to free throws, getting to the line eight times (11-13 overall in the game)…the Gaels held the Pilots to just 3-15 from beyond the arc, while Saint Mary's shot 5-17, with Holland making two.
 
UP NEXT
The Gaels welcome in #18 Gonzaga on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 pm for their final home game of January. Tip-off is at 1:00 pm before the Gaels prepare to end the season with five of their final seven games on the road.
 
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