MORAGA, Calif. — West Coast Conference play returned to University Credit Union Pavilion on Thursday night as Saint Mary's Women's Basketball hosted Santa Clara University. Back at home for the weekend after their first WCC road trip of the season, the Gaels found home cooking to be particularly sweet in the first half. Unfortunately, that cooking went sour in the second half, with the Broncos running away to a 77-59 victory. With the loss, Saint Mary's is now 2-8 (0-4) while the Broncos up their mark to 6-4 (2-2).
 
SWEET SHOOTING
Both teams were in the kitchen cooking on Thursday night, in particular during the first half. For a pair of teams with lower-scoring offenses in conference play, a 38-33 Gaels lead at the intermission was higher than anticipated. Santa Clara was shooting an even-50% from the floor, but the Gaels were even better, sinking shots at a 57.1% clip. More impressive, Saint Mary's knocked down six shots from beyond the arc in the first half, with six different Gaels finding success from distance.
 
SOUR RESULTS
Whatever recipe the Gaels had in the second half did not turn out the way they had hoped, as Santa Clara kept the offensive rolling, while Saint Mary's struggled. The Broncos exploded for 27 points in the third quarter, but only led Saint Mary's by five points going into the fourth quarter. Unfortunately for the Gaels, their shooting went ice cold in the final ten minutes, only making one shot in the quarter and getting outscored 17-4, leading to the final margin of 77-59.
 
GETTING THAT BREAD
Saint Mary's had many contributors offensively, but Taycee Wedin led the way with her 13-point effort. The Oregon-native was 3-8 from beyond the arc, inching herself closer to the program-record of 268 three-pointers in a career. She actively has 173, putting her fourth best in Gaels history. Five other Gaels had at least six points in game, highlighted by a career-best eight points from Ellie Croco, including a pair of threes. Tayla Dalton also had nine points on a pair of triples, and Jade Kirisome ended her night with nine points on 4-8 from the floor.
 
BROWNIE BITES
Saint Mary's only made one free throw on the night in three tries, while the Broncos were 9-10 from the free throw line…a rarity for Gaels games, Saint Mary's was out-rebounded 40-25…for the first time this season, the Gaels had fewer turnovers than the opponent (15 vs. 16)…the game was won in the paint for the Broncos, scoring 44 points inside on the Gaels, compared to 20 for SMC.
 
UP NEXT
The Gaels have a quick turnaround to their next game, an 11:00 am tip-off on Saturday morning against San Francisco. The Dons played in Stockton against Pacific on Thursday night, falling to the Tigers 83-63. Both teams will be looking for their first win of the WCC season.