MORAGA, Calif. - Saint Mary's Women's Basketball will begin conference play by taking on Pacific on Thursday night and San Diego on Saturday evening this week at UCU Pavilion.
The Gaels have a 24-18 all time record against the Tigers. Last season, SMC went head to head against UOP three different times. The Tigers took the series 2-1, with a Saint Mary's overtime win in the first match up in Stockton, Calif. The Gaels are looking to get back at the Tigers after losing to them in their home finale last season and in the second round of the WCC Championships.
SMC has put up 53 wins and 24 losses all time against USD. The Gaels lost to the Toreros both times last season, forcing one of them to go into overtime. Despite the loss, Gaels senior,
Ali Bamberger, had a career night with 23 points, 24 rebounds, and five blocks in the first match up last December.
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's (7-7) vs Pacific (8-5)
Thursday, January 4 at 6:30 p.m.
UCU Pavilion – Moraga, Calif.
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LIVE STATS |
TICKETS
Saint Mary's (7-7) vs San Diego (4-9)
Saturday, January 6 at 5:00 p.m.
UCU Pavilion – Moraga, Calif.
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LIVE STATS |
TICKETS
LAST TIMEOUT
The Gaels went on a 17-0 run against the Spartans after trailing by two, late in the first quarter. SMC began their run with a three pointer from
Ruby Vlahov to give SMC the lead for good at 7-6 in a very defensive-minded first quarter. In the first quarter, both teams shooting percentages were in the 20s, but the Gaels jumped to 58% in the second quarter, going 4 for 4 in three pointers, and 8 for 8 from the free throw line. The Gaels led by 21 going into the half.
The Sparted started the second half with a quick basket, but
Addison Wedin returned the favor just 30 seconds into the third quarter with a mid-range jumper. The Gaels kept the Spartans from getting their lead within single digits and never allowed SJSU to cut it less than 20 until the final 13 seconds of the game. Saint Mary's was able to hit a 26 point lead twice after free throws from
Tayla Dalton with 2:06 to go in the third and by
Nadia Bernard with 3:32 left to play.
ABOUT PACIFIC
Pacific was picked to finish in a tie for third in the preseason poll for the West Coast Conference. This is the first time since 2019 that Pacific was picked to finish in the top three. For the Tigers, Junior Liz Smith was named to the All-WCC First Conference in the 2022-2023 season with scoring double figures in 25 of 29 games and had four 20-plus point performances. She also was ranked top 10 in free throws per game, three-point percentage, free throw percentage, and three pointers per game. Smith remains a threat this season by being the team's leading scorer with 190 points, 17 three pointers made, 16 steals, and having the most minutes played on her team.
ABOUT SAN DIEGO
The Toreros are coming off of a 19-14 season, losing to Oregon in the WNIT Super 16. The team is currently in a three-game losing streak, hoping to get back on their feet against WCC Pepperdine. Veronica Sheffey is USD's leading scorer with 160 points this season, averaging 12.3 per game, 69 assists, and 19 steals. She recently hit her career high in a loss to San Diego State with 23 points and eight assists. Junior Jess Finney is first on the team for three pointers made (15), second in assists (19), seconds in steals (15), and third in blocks (7). Behind Sheffey in points is Junior Kylie Horstmeyer who adds an additional 121 points for the Toreros.
#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.
