MORAGA, Calif. – SMC Women's Basketball had another epic battle with USF go down to the wire, but this time the Dons held on for a 69-66 win over the Gaels to split the season series with Saint Mary's.
 
The difference in the game would be a fourth quarter where the Gaels rushed some shots and didn't convert layups, including on fast-break opportunities. SMC was only 6 of 20 from the floor and 0 for 6 on threes in the fourth compared to the Dons' 7 of 11 and 1 for 3 from downtown. That efficient fourth allowed USF to win the quarter 17-15.
 
It looked like the Dons might take control of the game late in the third quarter, when they got out to a nine-point lead at 50-41. But Saint Mary's would go on a 9-0 run to tie the game, sparked by a three pointer from Clair Steele and capped off by a pair of free throws from the Orinda, Calif. native to make it 50-50 with 1:18 to go in the quarter.
 
The Gaels would trail just 52-51 to start the fourth, but USF would get out to a seven-point lead with just over four minutes remaining. However, a pair of baskets in the paint by Hannah Rapp with a layup by Ali Bamberger sandwiched in between cut it right back to one, and Rapp converted a free throw on an and-one opportunity to tie it at 66-66 with 2:26 to play.
 
Saint Mary's would get a stop, but give the ball back to San Francisco on a jump ball that led to a basket in the paint for USF to make it 68-64 with 1:24 to go. The Gaels would miss a three and a layup on their next two possessions, before committing a foul on the other end.
 
The Dons would only hit one free throw giving the Gaels life, down just three points with 1.4 seconds left. A time out brought the ball across half court, and Saint Mary's got off a three-point shot from the corner near their bench that fell short which allowed the Dons to escape with the win.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Rapp led the Gaels with a career-high 16 points and Bamberger had 14 points and 14 rebounds. Saint Mary's won the rebounding battle 34-27 and had just three more turnovers than USF.
 
UP NEXT
SMC will host Santa Clara this Saturday evening at 5:00 p.m. in UCU Pavilion.