PHOENIX – Saint Mary's Women's Basketball led most of the way at Grand Canyon in the season opener, before a rough fourth quarter led to a 55-52 loss on Monday evening.
 
The Gaels led the Lopes for over 34 minutes and had the lead with just 37 seconds remaining, before GCU tied it and then won it on a three pointer at the buzzer.
 
SMC led by 19 points early in the fourth quarter after a Hannah Rapp three pointer in the corner, and were leading by seven at the half. They shot a whopping 75% from the field including 4 of 7 on threes in the third.
 
In the fourth however, they would shoot just 2 of 10 from the field while GCU went 10 of 19 and 4 of 11 from deep in a quarter they won 24-5 over Saint Mary's. The Gaels committed six turnovers to just one to the Lopes, and were out rebounded 11 to 7. Grand Canyon went on a 22-0 run to close out the game.
 
A high-pressure, zone defense got the Gaels off to their strong start. But it would be the flip in the fourth, as GCU pressured the SMC guards keeping Saint Mary's from getting into their offense and getting the ball to Ali Bamberger.
 
Freshman Zeryhia Aokuso had the hot hand for the Gaels, finishing with a game-high 17 points and five rebounds. Bamberger would finish with eight rebounds, but be stuck on five points and dealt with second-half foul trouble. Hannah Rapp was second on the team with 10 points.
 
UP NEXT
The Gaels will get back to the friendly confines of UCU Pavilion for their 2023-24 home opener against UC San Diego.