MORAGA, Calif. - After trailing by as many as 12 points in the first half, Saint Mary's exploded for 30 points in the third quarter to make it a one point game heading into the final ten minutes of regulation. The fourth quarter would feature six lead changes but California Baptist would hit a layup and a pair of free throws, paired with some defensive stops, to seal the three-point victory for their first of the season.
Emily Foy and
Kennedy Johnson were the team's lone double-digits scorers combining for 27 on the night while
Mauriana Hashemian-Orr and
Amy Kurkowski combined ro 16 points off the bench.
FIRST HALF SMC 23-27 CBU
The first quarter featured a similar start in recent games with the Gaels only converting four field goals on 22% shooting. On the flip side, they held California Baptist to just 36% shooting. After they saw a pair of three pointers fall in the opening minutes, the Gaels would allow just one made field goal in the final four minutes of the quarter.
Ella Wedin would convert a fastbreak layup to make it a two-point game at the break.
The offense would pick up for both sides in the second quarter but the Lancers would take the early edge with a 10-0 run and two three pointers to hold a 12-point lead, their largest of the game. The Gaels would answer back though with a crucial 7-0 run to end the half.
Emily Foy started the scoring run with five straight points including a three ball in transition to give her eight first half points off the bench. Saint Mary's would force a turnover on the following possession and allow
Kennedy Johnson to convert a layup in the closing seconds to make it a four-point game at the break. Despite the offensive struggles, the Gaels did enough to stay in the game only turning the ball over three times, their lowest half total of the season.
FINAL SMC 68-71 CBU
The third quarter would feature an offensive explosion from both sides, combining for 57 points in the quarter. The Lancers seemed to have an answer for every big shot Saint Mary's hit as they held onto a one-point game heading into the fourth. After both teams traded three pointers to start the third, the Gaels would go on a 7-0 run with buckets from
Jada Hunter and
Emily Foy.
The quarter would feature four lead changes and 20 combined made field goals on 80% shooting. Saint Mary's was 11-14 from the field good for 79% while the Lancers went 9-11 from the field and 3-5 from three to maintain their one-point lead. A massive bench spark for the Gaels came from freshman guard
Amy Kurkowski who finished the night 3-6 from the field and hit two massive three pointers in the third quarter. Kurkowski played in just her second game of the season but scored her first collegiate points with eight off the bench.
To start the fourth,
Mauriana Hashemian-Orr and
Kennedy Johnson would convert layups inside to give the Gaels a three-point lead. A 6-0 run from the Lancers though would quickly flip the lead heading into the final six minutes of regulation.
Abigail Shoff and
Maia Jones would make layups in the team's next possessions to give them the 61-60 advantage. The fourth quarter would feature a game high six lead changes.
Maia Jones continued her fourth quarter takeover with five straight points to give the Gaels a three-point lead with two to play. With just seven players in the final box score, California Baptist would rip off a 6-0 run and force a late turnover to help seal the three-point victory. A herculean effort from all twelve Gaels would come up just short as they dropped their third straight game and gave the Lancers their first win of the season.
After a slow start offensively, both teams put together a relatively clean game as the Gaels turned the ball over a season low seven times. Paint points went in favor of the Lancers 38-32 while the Gaels bench outscored SBU 36-6. Rebounding was another key factor as California Baptist grabbed eight more boards and led in second chance points 12-4.
Emily Foy and
Kennedy Johnson led the Gaels combining for 27 points and 11 rebounds. Kurkowski and Orr led all bench scorers with eight-a-piece and both recorded career highs in minutes played. Orr also had a team high +12 when she was on the floor and added a career high six assists with just one turnover.
LOOKING AHEAD
Saint Mary's drops their third straight game and falls to 4-5 overall after their three-point defeat to California Baptist. The Gaels will host Division II member Sonoma State next Saturday, December 14th in an exhibition contest before starting WCC play on December 19th against Santa Clara. The full conference schedule can be found at smcgaels.com.
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