MORAGA, Calif. – Saint Mary's Women's Basketball lost 96 to 68 against No. 16 Gonzaga on Thursday evening, despite a competitive opening quarter. 

It was a big game for Saint Mary's as they hosted the Gonzaga Bulldogs who are currently ranked number 16 in the nation. The Bulldogs were 11-0 in conference and on a 18 game win streak entering tonight's game.

Ali Bamberger recorded the first points of the night by nailing a three pointer. Tayla Dalton, who returned back with the team after competing for the New Zealand national team found Bamberger under the basket to put the Gaels up 5-2 with 8:34 remaining in the opening quarter.

After three pointers from Maia Jones, Zeriyah Auokso, and Leia Hanafin, SMC was up 14-7 with six minutes remaining. The bulldogs kept pushing and the game was tied 19-19 with a minute remaining in the first period. After shooting 50% from FG and 5-10 from the three point line, Saint Mary's trailed Gonzaga 24-21 at the end of the first quarter. 

The Gaels were unable to keep their momentum going, as Gonzaga went on a 23-5 run in the first eight minutes of the second quarter. Makena Mastora found Tayla Dalton who knocked down a three pointer with 1:42 remaining, but the Gaels were still down 49-29 at the end of the first half. The bulldogs shot 60% from FG while holding the Gaels to 33.3% in the second quarter. 

Zeriyah Auokso, who was the highest scorer for the Gaels in the first half, scored the first points of the second half. She has been averaging 11.2 points per game and shooting 49.7% from the field in her first season. After finishing the layup and drawing the foul, Aokuso completed the three point play to bring it to 57-34 with 6:30 remaining in the third quarter.

Freshman, Ruby Vlahov earned her first points of the game as she nailed a three pointer from the wing with 5:14 to go. Aokuso found her again, and she knocked down another three from the corner to push the score to 67-42. SMC shot an impressive 58.3% from FG in the third period, while holding Gonzaga to 45.5%. Zeriyah Aokuso scored 9 of the Gaels 18 points this quarter. The Gaels were down 79-47 at the end of the third. 

Ruby Vlahov swished her third three pointer of the night to begin the fourth quarter. Emily Foy knocked down back to back three pointers, Maia Jones nailed one of her own, and Tayla Dalton swished one from the corner, but the Gaels still trailed 96-68 at the final buzzer.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Freshman, Zeriyah Aokuso led the way for the Gaels tonight with 16 points on 6-11 shooting. Emily Foy was close behind her with 13 points of her own after going 75% from the three point line. Despite the loss, the Gaels finished the night with 15 three pointers on 53.6% 

UP NEXT: Saint Mary's will play at home again on Saturday, February 17 as they take on Pepperdine at 5:00pm.