The Collegian

Issue date: 2/22/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Collin Krauthamer Senior Evynn Van Burger was solid in her final home game in a Gael uniform. She will finish out her career this weekend in southern California.

Saint Mary's (11-14, 6-6 WCC) 65

San Diego (8-17, 3-9 WCC) 58

The women's basketball team split their games this week, losing to Santa Clara on Wednesday in a heart-breaker 64-62 and winning on Saturday against San Diego 65-58.

The Gaels trailed the Broncos by 13 at the half, rallied back to come within two, but were unable to finish off the comeback. Gael forward Maija Lahde '08 had 14 points and a career-high 15 rebounds in the loss to the Broncos, including six points in the final two and a half minutes. It was her second straight career-high, both of them coming against Santa Clara, as she scored 17 points versus the Broncos on February 9.

Freshman Jontelle Smith added 10 points and four assists for SMC.

Despite the loss, the Gaels rebounded against San Diego in their last home game of the season. Seniors Evynn Van Burger, Erika Urmonaite, and Katie Ludwick were honored before the game and all started their final home contest.

However, it was the underclassmen that would lead the team this game. Smith, Lahde, and red-shirt sophomore Monica Mertle all scored in double figures. Sophomore Serena Benavente added eight points, four rebounds, and eight assists.

San Diego guard Tiara Harris led all scorers with 22 on Friday night. But the Toreros shot only 33 percent from the field and 27 percent in the second half. As a team, the Gaels shot 50 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range.

With the win, the Gaels stand at 11-14 and 6-6 in WCC play. This puts them in fifth place in the conference and only one game back of Pepperdine for fourth place.

The Gaels finish out their conference schedule on the road playing at Pepperdine (10-15, 7-5 WCC) Thursday and at Loyola Marymount (15-10, 9-3 WCC) on Saturday.

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