MORAGA, Calif. – Saint Mary's Women's Basketball continues their four-game home stretch with the final two games of the home stand, hosting BYU on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and San Diego on Saturday at 5:00 p.m.
 
The Gaels will look to avenge a pair of losses from their post-Christmas road trip against these two team. They had a double-digit lead slip away in an overtime loss at San Diego and BYU steadily pulled away for a win in Provo, Utah.
 
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's (10-10, 4-5) vs. BYU (11-9, 6-3)
Thursday, January 26 at 6:30 p.m.
UCU Pavilion – Moraga, Calif.   
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Saint Mary's (10-10, 4-5) vs. San Diego (10-10, 4-5)
Saturday, January 28 at 5:00 p.m.
UCU Pavilion – Moraga, Calif.   
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LAST TIME OUT
SMC put up a fight against the Gonzaga Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon, but the No. 16 Zags pulled away each time the Gaels closed in an 82-57 loss for SMC.
 
The Gaels were down by 14 points early in the second quarter, before going on an 8-0 run. Ellie Croco hit her first three pointer of the season, followed by a wing three from Taycee Wedin, and then a step-back jumper from the Gaels' sharp shooter cut it to 33-27 Gonzaga with 3:31 to go in the first half.
 
But the Zags would push it back to 14 at halftime and wouldn't let the Gaels cut it any closer than 11 when Aspen Garrison scored inside just three minutes into the third.
 
A perfect pass from Clair Steele threaded the needle to Wedin to for a reverse layup to cut it to 57-44 with a minute to go in the quarter, but Gonzaga would keep SMC at arm's length and extend their lead up to 20 with 4:35 left to play.
 
Wedin had the best offensive game for the Gaels on 9 of 19 shooting overall and 3 for 10 from three-point range. Hannah Rapp had a game-high eight rebounds on the afternoon.
 
ABOUT BYU
BYU women's basketball junior forward Lauren Gustin was named to the 2023 Naismith Women's Defensive Player of the Year award watch list, the organization announced on Tuesday. 
 
One of fifteen players on the list, Gustin leads the nation in total rebounds (325), rebounds per game (16.2) and defensive rebounds per game (11.8). The Salem, Utah native is also No. 6 in offensive rebounds per game, at 4.4. Gustin is averaging a double-double on the year, putting up 15.8 points and grabbing 16.3 boards. She also has 14 blocks and 12 steals this season. 
 
The Naismith Awards presents the Defensive Player of the Year award annually to the most outstanding men's and women's defensive basketball player who achieves tremendous on-court success.
 
ABOUT SAN DIEGO
San Diego now leads the WCC in turnover margin (2.00), while ranking third in turnovers forced per game (17.06). Five of the six, and seven of the nine lowest turnover performances from the Toreros this season have come in WCC play.
 
The Toreros continue to find success on the glass, ranking in the top-100 nationally in offensive rebounds per game (13.9) and rebounding margin (4.1).
 
San Diego is 8-2 when leading or tied at halftime, while 1-6 when they trail. The team broke their 0-5 start when they trail with a 16-point comeback victory over Saint Mary's in overtime on Dec. 29.
 
2022-23 YEARBOOK
The 2022-23 Saint Mary's Basketball Yearbook is available HERE. This contains all of your information on both Saint Mary's basketball programs, coach and player profiles, as well as Saint Mary's, administration, and fan information.
 
#GaelsRise — 2022-23 tickets and ticket packages are on sale now! To purchase tickets, click HERE. If you have questions, contact the ticket office by email smctickets@stmarys-ca.edu or call 925-631-4689.