MORAGA, Calif. – Saint Mary's Women's Basketball fell behind early in the first quarter and were not able to come back against LMU in a 66 to 48 loss at home on Saturday night. 

The Gaels celebrated Ali Bamberger in a pregame ceremony, in honor of her recording 1,000 career points earlier this season. She celebrated this moment with her Dad, Eric Bamberger, making them the first and only father-daughter duo to both score 1,000 points at the same school. It was a special night for Addison Wedin as well, as she faced off against her younger sister, Ella Wedin for the first time. 

Zeryhia Aokuso, who just earned her third WCC Freshman of the Week award, quickly recorded the first points of the game. Guard Addison Wedin knocked down a three from the top of the key with 6:22 left in the first quarter, to cut LMU's early lead down to two. Tayla Dalton recorded a layup with 1:17 to go, giving the Gaels a spark to finish the quarter. At the end of the opening quarter, the Lions led 22-13, after shooting 66.7% from FG. 

LMU began the second quarter on a 8-0 run to put them up 30-13, but Maia Jones ended the run with a turnaround jumper with 5:12 remaining in the quarter. Junior, Makena Mastora continued the scoring for SMC by finishing a layup as she got fouled. The Lions held the Gaels to nine points in the second frame, securing a 38-22 lead going into half time. 

Maia Jones opened up the second half with an impressive left handed finish. She later assisted Ali Bamberger under the basket, to make it 44-26 with seven minutes remaining in the third. Halfway through the third period, LMU pushed their lead to 22. 

Saint Mary's finished the quarter with nine points, as Zeryhia Aokuso beat the buzzer with a jump shot to end the quarter. LMU would carry a 53-31 lead into the final quarter. 

The Gaels started the fourth quarter off strong with three buckets by Ali Bamberger, Leia Hanafin, and Makena Mastora in the first two minutes. Bamberger's layup with 3:13 remaining cut LMU's lead to 13. SMC outscored LMU 17 to 13 this quarter, while forcing nine turnovers. Although the Gaels shot 38.9% from FG and held the Lions to 27.3% in the fourth, LMU still protected a double digit lead at the final buzzer. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Ali Bamberger led the way for the Gaels with 11 points, as Makena Mastora recorded ten of her own. Leia Hanafin brought energetic defense with six steals tonight.

LMU shot 9 of 21 from three-point range, in comparison to the Gaels 2 of 16. Overall, they were 45.3% from FG to SMC's 34.5%. 

UP NEXT

Saint Mary's Women's Basketball will continue conference play on the road as they take on the University of Portland on Thursday at 5:00 pm.