MORAGA, Calif. - Saint Mary's overcame another early ten-point deficit and exploded for 55 points in the second half to improve to 4-0 in WCC play, their best conference start since the 2014-15 season. The defensive numbers were not what Gael fans were accustomed to but they put together their best offensive performance of the season, shooting 61% from the field and making a season high 28 free throws. The Gaels had four players in double figures for the second consecutive game with
Zeryhia Aokuso leading the charge with a season high 21 points.
FIRST HALF SMC 30-36 USD
San Diego matched Saint Mary's offense with 19 first quarter points to lead by three. The Toreros had great length and solid guard play all night with Ava Ranson and Lauren McCall combining for 27 points. A quick seven points from
Abigail Shoff though would keep the Gaels within striking distance. Shoff went 3-3 from the field and drilled a three pointer to keep it a three-point game.
San Diego shot 47% from the field again in the second and went on to force 11 SMC turnovers to take a six-point lead into the half. Aokuso started to heat up for the Gaels finishing with eight points and three assists. The Toreros were solid in transition, outscoring the Gaels on turnovers 12-7 and 8-0 on second chance points.
Abigail Shoff and
Jada Hunter would convert buckets in the final two minutes to pull the game to within single digits.
FINAL SMC 85-75 USD
A common trend for Saint Mary's during their three game win streak has been an explosive third quarter on both sides of the ball and the trend would remain true tonight as they exploded for 30 points on 62% shooting. The Gaels also forced five turnovers in the period and outscored the Toreros 8-0 in points off turnovers.
Adding to a successful third quarter was also aggressive play that resulted in the team going a perfect 12-12 from the free throw line to take an eight-point lead going into the fourth.
Emily Foy got herself into double figures with a pair of three balls and
Kennedy Johnson began to heat up with four points in the quarter.
Saint Mary's did a great job taking care of the ball offensively, only turning the ball over four times in the entire second half. As a result, they put up 25 more points in the fourth quarter and got to the foul line 19 times. They finished with a season high 28 made free throws to help ice the game down the stretch. They were also 5-6 from the field and Johnson surged for ten points to finish with 18 for the game as the team's second leading scorer.
Off the bench,
Jada Hunter was a menace defensively recording a career high five steals. She played 24 minutes and led all bench scorers with eight points and five rebounds.
Maia Jones also added eight points of her own and four assists. After trailing in these categories after the first half, the Gaels went on to lead in points off turnovers, fast break points and bench scoring to secure the 85-75 victory.
Despite the defensive side of the ball being the team;s calling card, some explosive offense helped put up back-to-back 80+ point games and give Saint Mary's their fourth straight win in WCC play.
LOOKING AHEAD
Saint Mary's improves to 8-5 overall and 4-0 in conference play for the first time since 2014-15. They will remain in the Bay Area and take on San Francisco on Thursday, January 2nd at 6:00 PM. Stream the game live on ESPN+ and get your tickets today at smcgaels.com.
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