Saturday, February 28
Pullman, WA
12:00 PM
Saint Mary's College of California
15-16,6-12WCC
50
at
57
Washington State
7-24,6-12WCC
1
2
3
4
F
Saint Mary's (CA)
8
12
18
12
50
Washington St.
9
20
13
15
57
WBB | Hunter and Afeaki Combine for 21 Points as Gaels Drop Regular Season Finale to Washington State
2/28/2026 5:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball
PULLMAN, Wash. - The Saint Mary's women's basketball team recorded its 18th game this season holding its opponent to 60 points or fewer but hit a cold spell late in the fourth to fall 57-50 to Washington State on Saturday afternoon at Beasley Coliseum in the West Coast Conference regular season finale.
Saint Mary's (15-16, 6-12 WCC) got double-digit performances off the bench from Jada Hunter and Melesungu Afeaki and came all the way back from 12 points down, taking a 47-46 lead midway through the fourth quarter, but couldn't hold on against Washington State (7-24, 6-12 WCC).
With the best scoring defense in the WCC, the Gaels finished the regular season tied for eighth place in the league standings with the 2026 Credit Union 1 West Coast Conference Basketball Championship tipping off on Thursday in Las Vegas.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams combined for just 17 points in the opening quarter but the Gaels closed on a 6-2 run after going down five to find themselves down just a point. Washington State put together a nice offensive surge though in the second quarter, shooting 50% from the field to score 20 points.
The Cougars grew their lead to as many as 12 points but once again, the Gaels found ways to chip away at the lead and keep themselves within striking distance. Senior transfer Georgia Grigoropoulou gave head coach Jeff Cammon some nice minutes off the bench and got a nifty hook shot to fall, plus the foul, to put Saint Mary's within nine at the half.
Saint Mary's then made its move in the third, outsourcing Wazzu 18-13 to make it a four-point game heading into the fourth. Jada Hunter and Melesungu Afeaki combined for ten points in the quarter while Malia Latu showcased her skill set with some tough fadeaway jumpers to score four points in the period.
After giving up the opening bucket to start the fourth quarter, Saint Mary's went on a 7-0 run to take its first lead since the opening minute of the game thanks to an Abigail Shoff layup. The Gaels led 45-44 and again 47-46 after trading buckets a minute later. The Gaels were doing what they do best, playing stingy defense and scoring on the interior to play their way back into the game.
Despite another heroic effort to come from behind, Washington State found a way to end the game on an 11-3 run and hold Saint Mary's scoreless on its final six shot attempts to seal the seven-point victory. The Gaels did a good job taking care of the ball down the stretch, with just one turnover in the final five minutes of the game, but simply hit a cold spell and couldn't find the bottom of the hoop.
GAME NOTES
LOOKING AHEAD
Official seeding for the 2026 Credit Union 1 West Coast Conference Basketball Championship will be released by the conference office Sunday morning. Saint Mary's will head to Las Vegas in search of its first postseason victory since 2023.
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
Saint Mary's (15-16, 6-12 WCC) got double-digit performances off the bench from Jada Hunter and Melesungu Afeaki and came all the way back from 12 points down, taking a 47-46 lead midway through the fourth quarter, but couldn't hold on against Washington State (7-24, 6-12 WCC).
With the best scoring defense in the WCC, the Gaels finished the regular season tied for eighth place in the league standings with the 2026 Credit Union 1 West Coast Conference Basketball Championship tipping off on Thursday in Las Vegas.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams combined for just 17 points in the opening quarter but the Gaels closed on a 6-2 run after going down five to find themselves down just a point. Washington State put together a nice offensive surge though in the second quarter, shooting 50% from the field to score 20 points.
The Cougars grew their lead to as many as 12 points but once again, the Gaels found ways to chip away at the lead and keep themselves within striking distance. Senior transfer Georgia Grigoropoulou gave head coach Jeff Cammon some nice minutes off the bench and got a nifty hook shot to fall, plus the foul, to put Saint Mary's within nine at the half.
Saint Mary's then made its move in the third, outsourcing Wazzu 18-13 to make it a four-point game heading into the fourth. Jada Hunter and Melesungu Afeaki combined for ten points in the quarter while Malia Latu showcased her skill set with some tough fadeaway jumpers to score four points in the period.
After giving up the opening bucket to start the fourth quarter, Saint Mary's went on a 7-0 run to take its first lead since the opening minute of the game thanks to an Abigail Shoff layup. The Gaels led 45-44 and again 47-46 after trading buckets a minute later. The Gaels were doing what they do best, playing stingy defense and scoring on the interior to play their way back into the game.
Despite another heroic effort to come from behind, Washington State found a way to end the game on an 11-3 run and hold Saint Mary's scoreless on its final six shot attempts to seal the seven-point victory. The Gaels did a good job taking care of the ball down the stretch, with just one turnover in the final five minutes of the game, but simply hit a cold spell and couldn't find the bottom of the hoop.
GAME NOTES
- Abigail Shoff's double-digit scoring streak came to an end on Saturday, finishing with seven points. She entered the game with a nine-game double-digit scoring streak.
- Jada Hunter and Melesungu Afeaki combined for 21 points off the bench.
- The Gaels outscored the Cougars 28-18 in bench points.
- Afeaki matched her career high with 11 points. She scored 11 points in the Gaels' 86-59 home victory over Seattle U earlier this month.
- Shoff led the team with six rebounds and ranks second on the team with four rebounds per game
- Edie Clarke had a team-high three steals and now ranks alone in second place in the WCC with 66 steals on the season
- Georgia Grigoropoulou was ultra efficient in her seven minutes of action off the bench, scoring five points on 2-for-3 shooting
- For the 18th time this season, Saint Mary's has held its opponent to 60 points or fewer. The Gaels lead the WCC in scoring defense and allowed 59.2 points per game through their 31-game regular season slate.
LOOKING AHEAD
Official seeding for the 2026 Credit Union 1 West Coast Conference Basketball Championship will be released by the conference office Sunday morning. Saint Mary's will head to Las Vegas in search of its first postseason victory since 2023.
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
Team Stats
SMC
WSU
FG%
.360
.411
3FG%
.300
.188
FT%
.846
.667
RB
29
38
TO
16
15
STL
8
7
Game Leaders
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
PF
/ Women's BasketballPF
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballWBB | Saint Mary's at Washington State Highlights, 2-28-26
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