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USF Women Drop 61-51 Decision to Saint Mary's Thursday in WCC Action
Feb. 15, 2007
(San Francisco) - USF women's basketball struggled offensively and dropped a 61-51 West Coast Conference decision to ancient Bay Area rival Saint Mary's Thursday night at War Memorial Gym. The Dons (8-18, 2-9 WCC) connected on just .314 (22-70) from the field, while the Gaels (12-12, 6-5 WCC) hit at a .560 (14-25) clip in the second half to complete the season series sweep and secure their fifth straight overall against the Green and Gold.
Junior guard Dominique Carter scored a team-high 17 points and pulled down eight rebounds to go along with five steals. Senior forward Nickie Warren added 10 points, while sophomore guard Shay Rollins added seven points and eight boards.
San Francisco trailed by as many as seven in the first period, the last at 19-12 with 6:44 remaining. The Dons went on a 14-6 run to close out the half, seizing a 26-25 lead at the intermission. Carter led the way with 11 points and seven rebounds at the break.
USF's slim halftime lead would not last long as the Gaels sprinted out of the gate on a 19-4 run to take a 12 point lead at 44-32 with 13:10 to go in regulation. It was all Saint Mary's from there as the Dons would make it a one possession game only once at 50-47 with 5:09 left on the clock on a pair of Warren free throws. The Gaels used a 11-4 run to finish off USF.
Sophomore guard Jontelle Smith scored a game-high 18 points for the Gaels, while senior center Sheridan Arredondo turned in an 11-point, 10 rebound double-double off the bench. Junior guard Lauren Shaughnessy turned in a solid night with eight points, six rebounds and seven assists.
USF returns to action when it hosts Santa Clara in the 2007 WCC home finale Sunday, February 18. Tip-off against the Broncos is set for 2:00 PM at War Memorial Gym on a game carried live locally on Comcast. Senior day festivities will begin at approximately 1:45 PM.
