Box Score

MORAGA, Calif. - The University of San Diego women's basketball team dropped a heartbreaking 68-66 West Coast Conference decision to Saint Mary's College on Saturday afternoon in McKeon Pavilion.

With the loss, USD falls to 20-5 overall, and fall out of second place and into a tie for third place in the WCC at 11-4. With the win, Saint Mary's moves into second-place in the West Coast Conference, improving to 18-7, 11-3 WCC.

San Diego was led by Malina Hood with 18 points on 6-of-15 shooting from the field, while Sydney Williams scored a career-high 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field. Maya Hood was the third Torero in double figures, as she had 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the field.

Saint Mary's out-rebounded San Diego 37-26 and SMC shot 54.5 percent from the field, while USD shot 38.7 from the field.

The Gaels were led by Lauren Nicholson with 26 points and four rebounds. Shannon Mauldin added 11 points and nine rebounds while Stella Beck chipped in with 11 points and seven assists. Alia McCoy and Hayley Hendricksen added seven points apiece.

The Gaels led 32-30 at halftime after Nicholson beat the halftime buzzer with a running lap-up to give SMC the lead.

SMC forced an early USD second-half timeout as the Gaels scored the first two baskets of the second half.

With the Gaels leading 36-34, SMC went on a 20-5 run to take a commanding 56-39 advantage with 8:31 left in the game. SMC led by 10 points at 62-52 at the 4:21 mark after Hendricksen scored off a pass from Beck.

Saint Mary's never let the Toreros come closer than a one-possession game as the Gaels led for 24:52 of the game. The Gaels converted four of their last five free-throws to ice the game as USD hit a three-pointer with a second left in the game to put the game at its final of 68-66.

San Diego is back in action on Saturday, as they host BYU in a 2 p.m. WCC game inside the friendly confines of the Jenny Craig Pavilion.