Feb. 17, 2001
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Saint Mary's overcame a 15-point second-half deficit to tie the Broncos for first place in West Coast Conference standings with a 70-61 victory tonight at the Leavey Center. Pepperdine and Loyola Marymount were also winners tonight, creating a logjam at the top of the league as all four teams own 9-3 records.
Overall, Santa Clara falls to 18-6 overall, while Saint Mary's improves to 20-5.
Junior Becki Ashbaugh sank two consecutive three-pointers in the second half to give the Broncos a 50-35 lead less than three minutes into the second half. Saint Mary's twin towers, Jermisha and Jerkisha Dosty, combined for 18 second-half points as the Gaels' full-court press limited the Broncos to only 19 percent shooting on 6-31 field goals in the second half.
With four minutes left in regulation, Jermisha Dosty posted two straight baskets to give the Gaels a 62-60 lead, the visitor's first since a 6-5 advantage early in the first half.
Four Gael players reached double figures in scoring, led by freshman guard Corrie Mizusawa's 20 points. Jerkisha Dosty added 19, Hilary Parker 15 and Jermisha Dosty registered a league-leading 11th double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Santa Clara was led by Ashbaugh with 15 points while senior guard Kim Sorenson registered 12 points, all in the first half. Senior Annie Garrison added 10 rebounds to lead the Broncos defensively.
The Broncos opened the game strong, with driving layups by seniors Kristin Franklin and Jennifer Glysson. Three straight scores from behind the arc, two from junior Caroline Gruening, put the Broncos up 32-25. Saint Mary's Hilary Parker hit two free throws to cut Santa Clara's lead to nine at half, 42-33.
The Broncos head to the Pacific Northwest for their final two games of the regular season, taking on Gonzaga on Thursday, February 22. That contest will start at 7 p.m. in Spokane, Wash. On Saturday, Feb. 24, the Broncos will close the season at Portland. That game is also scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.