Jan. 10, 2010
Final Stats |
Action Photos 
MORAGA, Calif. - - St. Mary's scored 19 unanswered points in the second half to blow open a close game and hand Santa Clara its eighth-straight loss, 83-55.
Santa Clara (2-15; 0-2 WCC) freshman guard Meagan Fulps scored 19 points to lead the Broncos. One of her three 3s kept SCU within striking distance early in the second half. Backcourt teammate Alyssa Shoji added 13.
St. Mary's (11-6; 2-0 WCC) has a chance to start its WCC season 3-0 for the first time since 2003-04 if they can beat preseason league favorite Gonzaga on Thursday. Louella Tomlinson - coming off a career-high 35 points in Friday night's win over USF - was one of five Gaels in double-figures, scoring a game-high 18 and pulling down 12 rebounds.
The Gaels built up a 20-point lead, 55-35, with just under 13 minutes left after leading by just six at halftime. Kate Gaze scored nine consecutive points during the 19-0 run, connecting on two 3s and completing an old-fashioned 3-point play which put the game out of reach.
Gaze finished with 15 points, going 7-for-7 from the free throw line.
By the time Fulps scored with 10:58 to play, the Broncos found themselves down 60-37.
The Broncos started the game shooting well, making five of 10 from the field. Maggie Goldenberger's 15-foot baseline jumper tied it at 16 midway through the first half.
SMC responded with a 7-0 run, with Tomlinson twice giving SMC its largest lead of the half. Tomlinson pushed the advantage to seven, dropping-in a shot from the elbow and making it 25-18 at the 4:02 mark on a post move in the lane.
Santa Clara would close the gap to three thanks to a drive and dish by Noe Viloria but would trail at halftime, 30-24.
For the second-straight game the Broncos were decidedly outscored following the intermission. The Broncos saw a five-point halftime lead evaporate at USD Friday night, losing 60-44 in their WCC opener.
Santa Clara will next host Pepperdine on Thursday, January 14 at 7 p.m. in the Leavey Center.