MORAGA, Calif. – Saint Mary's Women's Basketball lost 68-35 to the Portland Pilots in a Saturday evening match up at home, as the Pilots avoided being swept by the Gaels.

SMC defeated the Pilots in overtime in their first meeting in Portland, but this time the Gaels were short handed and played with only eight healthy players tonight as Tayla Dalton, Makena Mastora, and Addi Wedin were all out. Dalton, who contributes significantly each night, is competing with the New Zealand national team for Olympic qualifiers. Mastora is out with a concussion and Wedin suffered a season-ending knee injury against Pacific.

After a 8-0 run by Portland to begin the game, Leia Hanafin recorded the first points for the Gaels after securing an offensive rebound and finishing the layup with 5:42 remaining in the opening quarter. Zeryhia Aokuso knocked down a jump shot with 4:05 to go, fresh off her fifth WCC Freshman of the Week award earlier this week.

The Pilots were off to a strong offensive start, as they obtained a 15-5 lead with a minute remaining in the first quarter. Freshman, Ruby Vlahov made her presence felt on the defensive end, as she recorded four steals in this quarter. After shooting 53.8% from FG while holding the Gaels to 13.3%, Portland finished the opening period with a 19-5 advantage.

To open up the second quarter, Emily Foy nailed a three pointer from the wing via a pass from Hannah Rapp. The Pilots continued to attack the basket and make shots, picking up a 25-8 lead with 6:50 remaining in the first half. Zeriyah Aokuso found Ali Bamberger under the basket, who finished the layup as she got fouled with 5:23 remaining. Bamberger completed the three point play and finished another layup in the Gael's next possession. SMC was down 28-15 with three minutes remaining in the second quarter. 

After nearly three scoreless minutes from both teams, a Maia Jones' layup broke the stalemate. After two made layups and free throws by Portland to extend the lead to 32-17, Maia Jones fed the ball to Bamberger who finished the layup in the final minute of the half. In the final two seconds of the first half, Zeryhia Aokuso knocked down a jumper to cut the deficit to 11 at the break. Both teams shot 38% from FG this quarter, and Portland finished the half with a 32-21 lead. Ali Bamberger led the way for the Gaels this half with seven points and seven rebounds. 

Ali Bamberger continued to play her game in the second half, as she finished a layup in the opening minute. Hannah Rapp found her way to the basket, making it a 37-25 game with 7:35 to go. But Portland continued to dominate offensively and extended their lead to 19, as they were up 44-25 with just five minutes remaining in the third period. For the Gaels, Bamberger finished another basket from inside the paint and Maia Jones knocked down a jumper to finish the third quarter. Portland outscored SMC 21-8 this quarter, and secured a 53-29 lead before the final period. 

To begin the fourth quarter, Portland extended their lead to 30. After a steal by Hannah Rapp, Leia Hanafin buried a jumper on the other end. Rapp continued to find Hanafin, who nailed a three pointer from the right wing in the next possession to bring the score to 59-34 with 7:18 remaining. There were no answers for Portland tonight, as they held Saint Mary's to 25% from FG tonight, while shooting 40%. At the final buzzer, SMC fell short 68-35. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Senior, Ali Bamberger led the Gaels tonight with 11 points and nine rebounds on 50% shooting from the floor. Leia Hanafin contributed with nine points of her own for her season high. 

UP NEXT: The Gaels will head to San Francisco on Thursday, February 8th, for a Bay Area match up against USF at 6:00 pm.