MORAGA, Calif. – Game two of the Saint Mary's Thanksgiving Classic went in the opposite direction of the first game for the Gaels, as Illinois State's strong second half led them to a 62-51 win over SMC on Saturday afternoon.
 
Saint Mary's made just seven field goals in the second half, and unconverted layups and points allowed the other way created swings in momentum and on the scoreboard.
 
The Gaels trailed by six with 3:38 to go in the first quarter before cutting it to one on an Emily Foy layup after forcing a turnover to finish the first. They led by six via points off a turnover when Hannah Rapp converted a layup with 2:30 to go in the second quarter. But the Redbirds converted a three-point play to finish the half to tie the game at 33 apiece.
 
The second half opened with a missed layup for the Gaels, followed by a three pointer for the Redbirds, which would be a harbinger of things to come for SMC.
 
The turnover battle would go the Gaels' way, however, committing just seven in the game while forcing 19 for the Redbirds. That defense would keep Saint Mary's in the game, as they would tie the fourth quarter with Illinois State, but the Redbirds took the third quarter 17-6, when Saint Mary's would shoot just 21% in the third, while Illinois State shot 50% (7 of 14).
 
An 8-0 run would spark the big quarter for the Redbirds that started with seven minutes to go in the third, and Illinois state would finish the quarter with their 11-point lead at 50-39. Saint Mary's was never able to trim the deficit below nine, as the Redbirds kept the Gaels at arm's length the rest of the way.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
The Gaels hit two three pointers in the first quarter, but didn't hit one in the final three frames. Illinois State would also lead in 14-8 in second chance points, as they out rebounded Saint Mary's 40-28.
 
A night after four Gaels scored in double figures, only Tayla Dalton finished in double figures with 11 points, but three other players had eight points in Leia Hanafin, Zeryhia Aokuso, and Addison Wedin, and Hannah Rapp finished with nine. Ali Bamberger led the team in assists with five.
 
UP NEXT:
The Gaels will get some time off before playing at Cal on Saturday, December 2 at 12:00 p.m.
 
#GaelsRise — 2023-24 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.