Dec. 30, 2012

Box Score

MORAGA, Calif. - Seniors Danni Jackson and Shi-Heria Shipp each scored 13 points, but it was not enough as Saint Mary's defeated the George Washington women's basketball team, 79-49, on Sunday afternoon at the Gaels' McKeon Pavilion.

The game remained close for much of the first half, as the teams alternated field goals for seven minutes. A three-pointer by Jackson at the 12:36 mark tied the game at 14-14, but GW (6-7) managed just two field goals in the next nine minutes, as Saint Mary's (8-4) used a 16-4 run to pull ahead, 30-18, with 4:30 to go.

After sitting out most of the first half with two fouls, Shipp re-entered at the 3:57 mark and scored six quick points for the Colonials, who trailed, 34-26, at the break.

Jackson and Shipp combined for GW's first 11 points of the second half, and the Colonials were down just nine, 46-37, with 14:47 remaining, but a three-pointer by Saint Mary's guard Kate Gaze sparked a 15-0 run that gave the Gaels control of the game.

Jackson halted GW's drought with a jumper from the foul line at the 8:51 mark, and the Colonials used a mini 7-3 spurt to get back within 19, but that was as close as they would get, as the Gaels scored another 10 in a row and 16 of the next 19 to take a game-high 32-point lead, 79-47, with 55 seconds left. GW freshman Alexis Chandler hit a pair of free throws in the final seconds to account for the final margin of 79-49.

Shipp's 13 points came on 5-of-8 shooting, and she added three steals, while Jackson dished out five assists to go with her 13 points and graduate student Tara Booker pulled down a team-high eight rebounds.

Jackie Nared and Danielle Mauldin each posted double-doubles for Saint Mary's. Nared scored a game-high 21 points and added 11 rebounds, while Mauldin had 16 points and 12 boards. Gaze contributed 14 points with three triples and recorded five assists.

The Colonials return to action on Sunday, Jan. 6, when they conclude non-conference play with their first-ever visit to North Carolina A&T.