Moraga, Calif. – In their home finale Thursday night against the USF Dons, Saint Mary's Women's Basketball fell short 78-74, despite forcing overtime and career-best scoring night from Zeryhia Aokuso.
Saint Mary's celebrated their seniors tonight, as they recognized their hard work, dedication, and commitment during their time with the Gaels. Ali Bamberger, Tayla Dalton, Jasmine Farmer, Ellie Croco, Leia Hanafin, Hannah Rapp, and Makena Mastora have left a significant mark on the Gaels family, both on and off the court. The Gaels were looking to split the series, as USF won the previous matchup 59-54 earlier this month.
After a defensive stop to open the game, Ali Bamberger finished a layup off the glass off a pass from Leia Hanafin. Aokuso showed off some fancy handles as she worked her way to the basket, putting the Gaels up 4-2. Aokuso found Emily Foy under the basket, who finished a layup to put Saint Mary's up 9-6 with just over four minutes remaining. In the final seconds of the first quarter, Hannah Rapp finished a basket in the paint to give SMC a 18-14 advantage. In the opening period, the Gaels shot 72.7% while holding USF to just 43.8%
USF went on a 7-2 run to open the second quarter. After the Dons made a three pointer, they snatched a 24-22 lead over SMC. Aokuso knocked down a three pointer to cut the Dons lead to 29-25 with 5:30 remaining in the first half. The freshman point guard has had a phenomenal season with Saint Mary's, as she just earned her sixth WCC Freshman of the Week award.
Dalton knocked down a turn around jumper with just over three minutes remaining, but SMC was still down 33-29. USF made a basket at the first half buzzer but also drew a foul. The made free throw sent USF into halftime with a 37-29 lead.
The Gaels shot 61.9% from FG while holding USF to 48.4% in the first half. Aokuso was the leading scorer for Saint Mary's in the first half with nine points and Tayla Dalton was close behind her with eight points of her own.
Aokuso's layup was good to open the second half. She found her way to the basket and finished another layup, but the Gaels still trailed 39-33 with nine minutes to go in the third period. The freshman had all of SMC's first 11 points of the third quarter. After back to back layups by Dalton and Foy, Saint Mary's trailed 44-49 with just under a minute remaining in the third. In the final three seconds, Leia Hanafin knocked down a floater. The Dons took a 52-46 lead into the final period.
Ruby Vlahov recorded her first points of the night after she swished a three from the corner early in the fourth quarter. Emily Foy faked the defender and nailed a three from the top of the key to tie the game at 54 with 7:35 remaining. Dalton's layup put the Gaels up 56-55, electrifying the crowd. A three pointer by Vlahov, a turnover by the Dons, followed by an Aokuso layup put the Gaels back on top with six minutes left.
In the final minute, Saint Mary's trailed 65-63. With 18 seconds remaining, Auokso was fouled on a drive, sending her to the free throw line, where she split the pair of free throws. With 11 seconds remaining, Aokuso finished a layup and the Gaels secured a stop on the other end, forcing the game to overtime.
Leia Hanafin took a charge in an early possession of overtime. Tayla Dalton knocked down a three pointer from way beyond the arc, to put Saint Mary's up 69-66. Aokuso found her way to the basket, which put SMC up 73-70 with just under two minutes left. Aokuso split a pair of free throws, but Saint Mary's was still up 74-73 with 40 seconds remaining. The Dons took a 76-74 lead with 22 seconds remaining. A pair of USF free throws pushed their lead, and the Gaels ultimately fell short 78-74.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Aokuso had her career best tonight in scoring, as she led the Gaels with 28 points on 12-18 shooting. Tayla Dalton also had a solid game with 17 points of her own on 53.8% shooting.
UP NEXT: The Gaels will conclude WCC regular season play with a road matchup against Pepperdine on March 2 at 2:00 pm.
