MORAGA, Calif. - The Gaels trailed by seven after the first period and were -9 on the glass but came back and outscored Pepperdine 16-9 in the second quarter to knot things up at 26 at the break. After allowing 17 points in that first quarter the Gaels defense locked in and kept the Waves to single digits for the next three quarters and started the second half on an 8-0 run to take control of the game.
They would lead wire-to-wire after that point and hold Pepperdine to just 21% shooting, a season low for the SMC defense.
Kennedy Johnson led the way with 15 points and three triples while
Maia Jones grabbed a career high nine rebounds and also added eight points. The Gaels were just -2 on the glass in the second half and forced a game high 19 turnovers to help grow their lead to as many as 17 points. They now sit in a three-way tie for first place at 6-2 along with Gonzaga and Washington State.
FIRST HALF SMC 26-26 PEPP
Both teams failed to get on the scoreboard for the first three minutes of the quarter but Pepperdine connected on a pair of three pointers to beat the Gaels zone defense and take an early 10-5 lead. The Waves were +9 on the glass and had six second chance points to hold a 17-10 lead after the first.
After forcing a pair of defensive stops to start the second, layup by Maggie Vick would push their lead to nine points for their largest of the game. Needing an offensive spark, Saint Mary's would turn to junior transfer
Abigail Shoff who led her team on a 9-2 run with back-to-back three pointers to cut the deficit to two. Then, Idaho transfer
Kennedy Johnson would end the half on a solo 5-0 run with a big three pointer to tie the game at 26.
Both teams shot the ball under 30% in the first half but points off turnovers would keep the Gaels in it while second chance points and free throw shooting would keep Pepperdine within striking distance with the second half to come. Former Gael
Makena Mastora led the Waves with 12 points at the break while Johnson had eight points and three boards.
FINAL SMC 56-41 PEPP
The third quarter would prove pivotal for the Gaels as their offense finally came alive with eight made field goals and finishing the quarter 50% from the field. Defensively, they forced six turnovers and held Pepperdine to just 1-of-8 from the field to take a ten-point lead into the fourth. Saint Mary's started the half on an 8-0 run with four different scorers and then connected on a three ball from
Amy Kurkowski to push their lead to nine.
With under 30 seconds remaining, the Gaels would cash in on a clutch offensive board as
Emily Foy hit the pull-up jumper in the lane to make it 43-33. Sophomore guard
Jada Hunter was huge defensively for Saint Mary's in the second half as she helped shut down Mastora who had just two points in the second half. Hunter was +14 on the floor and finished the night with four rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals.
A 10-3 scoring run to start the fourth would push their lead to a game high 17 points.
Maia Jones converted a tough and-one layup inside and then
Kennedy Johnson hit her third three of the night to help put the game to bed. Pepperdine was just 3-15 from the field in the final quarter as the Gaels forced contested perimeter shots all night long. The Waves had the most success inside as they outscored the Gaels in the paint 22-14 but they turned the ball over 19 times and were just 2-23 from beyond the arc.
This was the third straight game for Saint Mary's holding their opponent to under 40% shooting as they held Pepperdine to a defensive season low 21% from the field and just 8% from three. They also recorded just eight turnovers on the night for their second lowest total of the season, recording three of those in the second half alone.
Abigail Shoff finished with ten points as the team's other double digit scorer while
Emily Foy and
Maia Jones combined for 16 points.
Zeryhia Aokuso quietly put up nine points of her own along with five rebounds, five assists and two steals for a solid all around performance. The top of the WCC standings is now down to three after wins from Gonzaga and Washington State. Saint Mary's will look to remain at the top with a road matchup against San Diego next week to conclude the regular season series with the Toreros.
LOOKING AHEAD
Saint Mary's improved to 10-7 overall and 6-2 in conference play after taking down Pepperdine for the fifth straight time in their series history. The Gaels will rest up and hit the road next Thursday to battle San Diego at 6:00 PM. Stream the game live on ESPN+ and get your tickets online at smcgaels.com.
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
