Friday, October 30
Moraga, CA
6:00 PM
Saint Mary's College of California
0-0,0-0WCC
87
vs
40
UC Santa Cruz
0-0,0-0C2C
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UC Santa Cruz | 9 | 13 | 13 | 5 | 40 |
| Saint Mary's (CA) | 26 | 20 | 18 | 23 | 87 |
#1 NaTallia Urlacher made three vs. Santa Cruz
Photo by: Varun Aravind (@vflicks04)
10/30/2026 8:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MORAGA, Calif. - The Saint Mary's women's basketball team had four players reach double-figures while shooting over 50% from the field in its 87-40 exhibition victory over UC Santa Cruz Friday night. The Gaels were sharp on both ends of the floor, forcing a game-high 30 turnovers while shooting 43% from beyond the arc to contribute to their 47-point victory.
Second-year Gael Charlece Ohiaeri led the Gaels with 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting as well as a game-high eight rebounds. Southeastern Louisiana transfer Lihi Azouri chipped in with 14 points and a pair of second-half three-pointers while NaTallia Urlacher was a defensive menace, recording a game-high eight steals over her 19 minutes off the bench. The Gaels went on to outscore the Banana Slugs 34-6 off turnovers to cruise to the 47-point victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gaels got going early with a trio of made three's from the likes of Lucy Aherne, Charlece Ohiaeri and freshman point guard Nina Klep. Just three turnovers to ten for the Banana Slugs helped maximize possessions over the first ten minutes of the game. After tying the game at two, Saint Mary's went on an 8-0 run featured by a pair of made triples from Aherne and Ohiaeri. The first quarter lead ballooned to as many as 19 points after an Ohiaeri layup to make it 26-7 with 53 seconds left. The Las Vegas native led the team with five points as ten different Gaels found the scoresheet over the first ten minutes.
Santa Cruz hit a pair of three's and shot 40% from the field in the second period, but Saint Mary's continued to shoot the ball at an efficient clip, finishing the period 54% from the field to maintain a 24-point lead at the half. Ohiaeri led the way with nine at the break while Aherne, Urlacher and freshman big Agata Wlaz each had six points. Saint Mary's dominated nearly every aspect of the game, +21 in points off turnovers, +20 in paint points, +10 in second chance points, and +19 in bench points.
The Gaels cruised to the 87-40 victory by the end of night with four players reaching double-figures. Urlacher not only tied Ohiaeri with a game-high 15 points but also snagged eight steals on the night to contribute to a team total of 21. Klep's active hands also accounted for three of the team's 21 steals as Saint Mary's led wire-to-wire for the exhibition victory.
GAME NOTES
LOOKING AHEAD
The stage is now set for the 2026-27 season as Saint Mary's will kick things off on the road against Stanford on Wednesday, November 4. The Gaels will visit Maples Pavilion for the first time since 1999 and just the fourth time in their series history looking for their first win over the Cardinal since 2000. Full game information and tickets can be found 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
Second-year Gael Charlece Ohiaeri led the Gaels with 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting as well as a game-high eight rebounds. Southeastern Louisiana transfer Lihi Azouri chipped in with 14 points and a pair of second-half three-pointers while NaTallia Urlacher was a defensive menace, recording a game-high eight steals over her 19 minutes off the bench. The Gaels went on to outscore the Banana Slugs 34-6 off turnovers to cruise to the 47-point victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gaels got going early with a trio of made three's from the likes of Lucy Aherne, Charlece Ohiaeri and freshman point guard Nina Klep. Just three turnovers to ten for the Banana Slugs helped maximize possessions over the first ten minutes of the game. After tying the game at two, Saint Mary's went on an 8-0 run featured by a pair of made triples from Aherne and Ohiaeri. The first quarter lead ballooned to as many as 19 points after an Ohiaeri layup to make it 26-7 with 53 seconds left. The Las Vegas native led the team with five points as ten different Gaels found the scoresheet over the first ten minutes.
Santa Cruz hit a pair of three's and shot 40% from the field in the second period, but Saint Mary's continued to shoot the ball at an efficient clip, finishing the period 54% from the field to maintain a 24-point lead at the half. Ohiaeri led the way with nine at the break while Aherne, Urlacher and freshman big Agata Wlaz each had six points. Saint Mary's dominated nearly every aspect of the game, +21 in points off turnovers, +20 in paint points, +10 in second chance points, and +19 in bench points.
The Gaels cruised to the 87-40 victory by the end of night with four players reaching double-figures. Urlacher not only tied Ohiaeri with a game-high 15 points but also snagged eight steals on the night to contribute to a team total of 21. Klep's active hands also accounted for three of the team's 21 steals as Saint Mary's led wire-to-wire for the exhibition victory.
GAME NOTES
- Four Gaels finished the game in double-figures
- Ohiaeri and Urlacher led the Gaels with 15 points apiece
- Urlacher recorded a game-high eight steals
- Azouri finished with 14 points on 55% shooting
- Aherne chipped in with 11 points and a game-high three made three's
- Klep led the backcourt for the Gaels with five assists and just one turnover over her 11 minutes of action off the bench
- The Gaels recorded a game-high 21 steals and forced 30 turnovers
- All 11 Saint Mary's players to see the floor on Wednesday found the scoresheet
LOOKING AHEAD
The stage is now set for the 2026-27 season as Saint Mary's will kick things off on the road against Stanford on Wednesday, November 4. The Gaels will visit Maples Pavilion for the first time since 1999 and just the fourth time in their series history looking for their first win over the Cardinal since 2000. Full game information and tickets can be found 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
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballTeam Stats
UCSC
SMC
FG%
.341
.508
3FG%
.412
.429
FT%
.833
.538
RB
23
42
TO
30
14
STL
4
21
Game Leaders
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
0
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