SAN FRANCISCO – Saint Mary's Women's Basketball came back from multiple double-digit deficits against San Francisco on Thursday night, but the Dons hung on for a 59-54 win over the Gaels.
 
The first quarter was a struggle for SMC, going 0 for 14 from the field and trailing 12-1 after the opening quarter. But an 8-0 run -- including two-straight 3-pointers from Makena Mastora -- got the Gaels within five at 14-9 just two minutes into the second quarter.
 
Defense would spark the turnaround for the offense, as they forced five-straight turnovers, and six in seven possessions, by the Dons to cut it to a 16-13 game with just over five minutes to go in the half.
 
Second-chance opportunities allowed USF to push their lead back to nine with 38 seconds to go in the half, but Leia Hanafin hit a three with 11 seconds remaining to make it just a 26-20 USF lead at the break.
 
Saint Mary's found themselves down 11 with 5:22 to go in the third, but defense again led to offense as the Gaels forced turnovers that led to a layup for Mastora and a three for Maia Jones cut it to four at 35-31 with 4:21 to go in the quarter.
 
A 3-pointer by Ali Bamberger cut it to 37-34 with 3:06 left in the third, but the Dons would push it back to eight with some hot 3-point shooting of their own when the Gaels didn't close out defensively.
 
The Gaels were again down by 11 at 57-46 with 3:39 remaining, but another 8-0 run for Saint Mary's was capped by a Maia Jones steal that set up a Zeryhia Aokuso floater to cut it to three with just 20 seconds left.
 
SMC had to foul on the next USF possession, but the Dons missed both free throws and Hanafin grabbed the board to set up a potential game-tying opportunity. The Gaels were fouled on their ensuing possession, but they would turn the ball over on the sideline trying to set up a 3-pointer, and the Dons would make their next two free throws to ice the 59-54 win.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Three Gaels scored in double figures, as Aokuso had 17 points, Jones had 14, and Mastora finished with 12. Aokuso also led the team in assists with four and tied for the team lead in rebounds with Hanafin at six boards.
 
UP NEXT
Saint Mary's remains on the road while staying in the Bay Area as they will play atSanta Clara on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

#GaelsRise – 2023-24 tickets and ticket packages are on sale now! To purchase tickets, click here. If you have questions, contact the ticket office by email smctickets@stmarys-ca.edu or call 925-631-4689.