Jan. 30, 2010

Angie Kiel's postgame interview with Coach Wilhoit from Podcast Center.
Audio highlights from Podcast Center.

Box Score

Moraga, Calif. - A late rally was not enough as LMU fell behind early and was unable to overcome the deficit, falling 72-63 at Saint Mary's in the final game of the first half of West Coast Conference play Saturday afternoon at McKeon Pavilion in Moraga, Calif. The Lions (9-12, 2-5 WCC), who played five of their first seven conference games on the road, drop their fourth straight game overall and third in a row at the Gaels (15-7, 6-1 WCC).

Things could not have started worse for the Lions, who found themselves trailing 16-0 after three minutes as the Gaels made five of their first six shots. Everything was going Saint Mary's way, as they pushed the tempo down the court to extend their lead to 24-5 by hitting 10-of-15 while LMU started 2-for-11.

The offensive combination of Louella Tomlinson, Jasmine Smith, and Ashlee Smith proved to be most effective for the Gaels as all three were in double figures with 6:50 left in the first, combining on 33 of SMC's first 36 points. Meanwhile, LMU was struggling offensively, going nearly five minutes without scoring and the SMC lead grew to 36-12. Saint Mary's shot 58% in the first half compared to 27% from the Lions for a 44-23 advantage at the break.

LMU, who had rallied from 12 down in the final minute to get within one of Portland last week, again showed its resiliency in not quitting. The Lions used an 8-0 run with back-to-back threes from senior Lisa Helmers and freshman Monica DeAngelis and a steal and layup by Nichols to make it 62-45 with 7:02 left. A three-pointer from Cowling with 3:05 remaining got LMU within 14, 68-54, and Helmers hit another from the wing to cut the deficit to 11 with 1:59 to play. The Lions' pressure got to the Gaels, who went over four minutes without a basket, but too much time had elapsed before Helmers hit her fourth three of the contest, cutting it to 68-60 with 30.4 seconds left. But it was too little, too late as Jontelle Smith and Tomlinson hit their free throws.

Junior Renahy Young and Helmers each had 14 points to lead LMU. Young knocked down a pair of threes to pass Kate Murray (1999-2004) for fifth place on the school's career three-pointers made list with 108. Helmers got closer to Amanda Patton's (2004-07) school record for threes, knocking down a season-high four from distance to put her at 139, 15 shy of Patton. Sophomore Alex Cowling added her third double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds. DeAngelis chipped in 10 points and sophomore Candice Nichols and senior Jenna Sybesma had seven apiece.

LMU shot 30.8% (24-for-78) from the floor while attempting a season-high 35 threes and sinking 10 for 28.6%. It was the fifth time this season that the Lions had made 10-or-more threes. Aided by 22 offensive rebounds, the Lions attempted 32 more shots than the Gaels but SMC still finished above 50%, shooting 24-for-46 (52.2%) for the game and 46.2% (6-for-13) from three-point range. Stats at the line were also telling, with SMC attempting 26 foul shots and making 18 (69.2%) compared with 5-of-7 (71.4%) for LMU.

Tomlinson, who tops the WCC in points, rebounds, and blocks, had a double-double in the first half and finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and seven blocked shots to lead four Gaels in double figures. Ashlee Smith added 13 points, Jasmine Smith had 12, and Jontelle Smith scored all 10 of hers in the second half while pulling down seven rebounds.

The second half of conference play will have a more homely feel as the Lions play five of their seven WCC contests at Gersten Pavilion. LMU opens a three-game homestand next week with a visit from local rivals Pepperdine on Saturday. The game will be the last of five doubleheaders this season with the LMU men's team as the women square off at 5 p.m., followed by the men at 7:30. Both games can be heard live on KXLU 88.9 FM.