MORAGA, Calif. - The Saint Mary's women's basketball team will take on Division II member Sonoma State in their final exhibition contest before starting conference play on Thursday, December 19th against Santa Clara. The Gaels will enter WCC action with a 4-5 overall record and will make their home conference debut on Saturday, December 21st against LMU. Admission will be free for Saturday's exhibition with the Seawolves and tip-off is slated for 5:00 PM.
GAME COVERAGE
Saint Mary's vs. Sonoma State (Exhibition)
Saturday, December 14th | UCU Pavilion
Free Admission
GAELS OUTLOOK
After a solid start to the team's non-conference campaign winning four of five games in the month of November, the Gaels have cooled off and loss three straight to conclude non-conference action. Saint Mary's continues to be a force on the defensive end, ranking fifth in the WCC allowing 63 points per game and third in opponent turnovers forcing 151 turnovers on the season. In recent weeks though, the offensive has struggled to get going with slow starts in the first half.
During the team's three-game losing streak, they have averaged just eight points in the first quarter compared to nearly 17 points in the fourth quarter. If the Gaels can get off to better starts offensively their effective defense can lead them to more victories as they start conference play on December 19th against Santa Clara. First year Gael
Kennedy Johnson continues to show her worth as she leads the team with over 12 points and 5 rebounds per game.
Maia Jones and
Emily Foy have been a great 1-2 punch offensively as they both possess the ability to create their own shot and also lead the team in the three-point shooting, averaging a combined 40% from the perimeter.
One of the key statistics in the team's three-game skid comes from the rebounding category as the Gaels were out-rebounded 123-83 and are dead last in the WCC in rebounds per game with 32.2. Other bright spots include true freshman
Edie Clarke who put up career numbers against San Jose State with nine points and a perfect 4-4 from the field. Clarke's length and athleticism makes her a great two-way big for the Gaels as she has started the last two games.
Reigning WCC Freshman of the Year
Zeryhia Aokuso has also returned to the lineup after sitting out the start of the season due to injury. With good health and effective defense, the Gaels will be in a good position to start off conference play with a road win over Santa Clara next Thursday.
ABOUT SONOMA STATE (CCAA Division II)
Division II member Sonoma State enter Saturday's exhibition matchup with a 4-5 overall record and a 2-1 record in conference play. After suffering a four-game losing streak to conclude their non-conference schedule, the Seawolves rattled off three wins and started conference play 2-0 with wins over Cal State San Marcos and Cal State San Bernardino.
SSU is only averaging 56.3 points through their first nine games but have held opponents to just 58 points, good for the second lowest opponent PPG in the CCAA. The Seawolves are top four in the conference with 171 three point attempts but are shooting under 20% from that mark.
The Seawolves have a pair of double-digit scorers this season including Alysa Lopez and Jayme Blackard. Lopez transferred in from Folsom Lake College and is averaging over 12 points a game while primarily coming off of the bench. Blackard enters her fourth year with the program and is averaging 10 points, six rebounds and leads the team with 18 steals as a dynamic two-way point guard.
Sonoma State is led by third year head coach Des Abeyta who took over the program after serving as the Associate Head Coach at UC Davis. In her first two seasons, Abeyta has compiled a record of 32-27 and made back-to-back conference tournament appearances as the sixth seed. As a program though, the Seawolves are just 1-10 in the CCAA Tournament with their lone win coming in 2008 over then Humboldt State. This will be the first ever matchup between the two programs.
Saturday's game will not be streamed and admission will be free for all attending fans. Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
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