Dec. 1, 2009

Final Stats

MORAGA, Calif. - UC Davis used a 19-2 run, spanning parts of both halves to turn a five-point deficit into a 12-point lead as the Aggies beat host Saint Mary's 71-59 in a nonconference women's basketball game at McKeon Pavilion on Tuesday night, snapping a two-game losing streak.

UC Davis evened its early season record at 3-3 after beating the Gaels for the second straight year on their home court. Saint Mary's, which was led by 18 points and 10 rebounds from Louella Tomlinson, dropped to 3-4. Heidi Heintz scored a team-high 15 points to pace the Aggies who also got 12 points from Paige Mintun and 11 each from Kasey Riecks and Lauren Juric.

UC Davis led by as much as 23-16 in the first half before a 12-0 run staked Saint Mary's to a 28-23 lead with 8 minutes, 14 seconds to go. The Aggies went down by as many as five points, but scored the final five of the half to forge a 37-37 tie at the break.

UC Davis continued its surge at the start of the second half to take control of the game. Mintun hit a three and had seven early points while Kasey Riecks hit a trey to help the Aggies take a 51-39 lead less than four minutes into the second half. Guard Hana Asano contributed a couple of layups during the run which was also keyed by good defense which netted three steals, including two from Haylee Donaghe.

Saint Mary's was able to get the deficit to nine points but it stayed in double-digits over the last 10 minutes of the game.

UC Davis made 10 three-pointers in the game, shot 45.6 percent from the field and had 12 steals. The Aggies also had 14 assists, led by Asano who had five. Mintun added a career-high tying three blocked shots, tallying the mark for the second straight game.

Heintz reached double figures for the second straight game, picking up a pair of three-point plays to help with her dozen points. Riecks had a trio of three-pointers while Juric was 5 of 9 from the field.

Tomlinson, whose nearly seven blocks a game leads the country, had three for the Gaels. Guard Jontelle Smith added 10 points for Saint Mary's which was held to 35 percent shooting.

The Aggies will continue competition against West Coast Conference teams when it travels to face Santa Clara on Thursday at 7 p.m.