Feb. 21, 2004
MORAGA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University women's basketball team dropped a 74-60 decision to Saint Mary's tonight in West Coast Conference action at McKeon Pavilion. Senior forward Jennie Rondel netted a career-high 20 points for the Broncos, who see their record fall to 8-17, 4-8. The Gaels posted a 53-34 rebounding edge and were led by Triola Jackson's 17 points and 15 rebounds, and improve their mark to 15-11, 7-5.
The Broncos got off to a rocky start, picking up three fouls in the game's first minute. However, they soon got their momentum and two straight baskets by Ashley Gonnerman made it a 21-17 Bronco lead 11 minutes into the contest.
Saint Mary's then went on a modest seven-point run to take a 24-21 lead. Santa Clara recaptured the lead at 29-28 on four Bronco free throws, but a three-point play converted by Jackson returned the lead to the home team, who went on to a 36-31 halftime advantage. For the second straight game, Rondel scored 10 first-half points.
The Gaels increased their lead to as much as 13 points, but the Broncos remained tough, and pulled to within five, 52-47, on a Quinn Thomas three from the left wing at 8:37 on the clock. Santa Clara then went scoreless for the next five minutes, as Saint Mary's scored 10 straight and went ahead by 15, 62-47 inside four minutes.
Rondel ended the drought in the next minute with a lay-up, but the game was out of reach. The Gaels made 7 of 8 free throws in the final two minutes to close the victory.
Bronco senior guard Whitney Sutak came off the bench for 11 points while Lauren Shaughnessy added a career-high 14 points for the Gaels.
Additionally, Santa Clara was held to a season-low 17.4 percent from three-point range and was out-shot 47 to 35 percent overall.
Santa Clara will return to the court next week to host the final two games of the regular season. The Broncos will play Gonzaga on Thursday and Portland on Saturday. Both contests are slated for 7 p.m. tip-offs. Prior to the Pilots' game on Saturday, Santa Clara will honor its two seniors, Rondel and Sutak.
