Women’s Basketball
Sports Information Office
• P.O. Box 5100 •
• Moraga, CA • 94575
• Women’s Basketball Contact:
Mandy Bible
Women’s Hoops Weathers the Cold in Idaho
Gaels Travel to Idaho for Games Against Idaho State and Boise State
Game Twelve
Saint Mary’s (2-9)
vs.
Idaho State (3-8)
Saturday, December 20
1:05 PM PT Pocatello, ID
• 925.878.1601 (Cell) • 925.631.8562 (Office)
• Fax 925.631.4405 •
• [email protected]
Game Thirteen
Saint Mary’s (2-9)
vs.
Boise State (5-6)
Monday, December 22
6:00 PM PT Boise, ID
2008-09 Women’s
Basketball Schedule
Date
Nov. 7
Nov. 9
Nov. 15
Nov. 16
Nov. 17
Nov. 21
Nov. 23
Nov. 28
Nov. 29
Dec. 1
Dec. 6
Dec. 16
Dec. 18
Dec. 20
Dec. 22
Dec. 29
Jan. 4
Jan. 8
Jan. 15
Jan. 17
Jan. 24
Jan. 29
Jan. 31
Feb. 5
Feb. 7
Feb. 12
Feb. 14
Feb. 21
Feb. 26
Feb. 28
March 6-9
Opponent
#Showtime Bball
#San Francisco State
^vs. Old Dominion
^at Texas
^vs. Dayton
at CS Fullerton
at Nevada
&La Salle
&Indiana
at Minnesota
UC Davis
at CS Bakersfield
Seattle
at Idaho State
at Boise
at California
Pacific
*at Santa Clara
*at Loyola Marymount
*at Pepperdine
*San Diego
*Gonzaga
*Portland
*at San Francisco
*Santa Clara
*at Gonzaga
*at Portland
*at San Diego
*Pepperdine
*Loyola Marymount
Time
W, 100-74
W, 86-75
L, 63-93
L, 76-110
L, 62-68
L. 74-88
L, 91-99
W, 61-55
L, 63-80
L, 72-98
L, 69-85
L, 73-93
W, 84-71
1:05 PM
6:00 PM
7:00 PM
2:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
2:00 PM
2:00 PM
7:00 PM
2:00 PM
7:00 PM
2:00 PM
6:00 PM
2:00 PM
2:00 PM
7:00 PM
2:00 PM
**WCC Championships TBA
All Times Listed are PT
Home Games Listed in BOLD
#Preseason Exhibition
^World View Visioin Classic (Austin, TX)
&Hilton Concord Thanksgiving Classic (Moraga, CA)
*West Coast Conference game
**WCC Championships (Las Vegas, NV)
Th Week in Saint Mary’s Basketball: The Gaels will finish their four games in seven days
This
with a trip to the state of Idaho, facing Idaho State and Boise State. After going 1-1 in their games
against CS Bakersfield and Seattle to start the week, Saint Mary’s will take on the Bengals of Idaho
aga
State on Saturday, December 20 at 1:05 PM PT. After spending one night in Pocatello, ID, the Gaels
Sta
return to Boise, ID to face the Boise State Broncos on Monday, December 22 at 6:00 PM PT.
retu
Ga
Gaels
at a Glance: Saint Mary’s women’s basketball has experienced a rough start to the 2008-09
season, beginning 0-5 against five tough opponents. The Gaels began the year at the 2008 World View
seas
Classic in Austin, TX, where they dropped their first two games to ranked opponents (Old Dominion
Cla
and Texas), and a close game to a very solid Dayton squad. Continuing on the road for their second
week of play, Saint Mary’s was unable to slow down the Titans of CS Fullerton and Wolfpack of
wee
Nevada on the road, dropping to 0-5.
Nev
The Gaels earned their first win of the season at home, defeating La Salle in the Concord Hilton
Thanksgiving Classic, 61-55. Saint Mary’s then faced the Indiana Hoosiers, as they were handed their
Tha
first loss at home, 63-80. Against a team who was receiving votes in the top-25, the Gaels played the
firs
Golden Gophers of Minnesota closely, but was unable to pull the road upset. Back at home against
Go
UC Davis, Saint Mary’s could not stop the Aggies beyond the arc, losing 85-69.
To start a series of four games in one week, the Gaels made their way down Highway 5 to take on
CS Bakersfield, down one at halftime the Roadrunners came out scorching in the second, winning
93-73. After a quick turnaround the Gaels bounced back, defeating Seattle in the comfort of McKeon
93Pavilion, 84-71.
Pav
Probable Starters:
# Players
1
Maija Lahde
2
Louella Tomlinson
5 Alex Carbonel
10 Sierra Chambers
13 Kira Kojola
Off the Bench
3 Erika Ruiz
11 Alyssa Levesque
12 Suzie Davis
14 Amber Coatney
21 Katie Batlin
22 Jontelle Smith
23 Andrea Bailey
24 Leanna Richey
25 Lindsay Ellis
33 Ashlee Smith
Saint Mary’s Gaels (2-9)
Hometown
Espoo, Finland
Melbourne, Australia
Fremont, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Espoo, Finland
Pos.
F
F
G
G
G
Yr.
Sr.
So.
Fr.
Jr.
Jr.
Ppg
11.0
12.8
8.4
7.5
6.8
Rpg
6.3
8.4
3.5
2.5
2.3
Asst.
22
60 BLKS
18
18
13
Vallejo, CA
Martinez, CA
Oxnard, CA
Compton, CA
Moraga, CA
Pinole, CA
The Dalles, OR
Brentwood, CA
Sacramento, CA
Vancouver, WA
G
F
G
G
G
G
G
F
C
F
So.
Fr.
So.
Fr.
Fr.
Sr.
Fr.
So.
Jr.
Fr.
2.4
0.0
1.8
3.3
5.6
2.0
N/A
1.4
2.4
8.7
0.7
0.7
0.8
2.4
3.2
0.0
N/A
1.9
2.6
5.2
14
0.0
5.0
9 BLKS
22
0.0
N/A
1.0
4.0
4.0
--2008-09 Women’s
Wo
Basketball Weekly Notes --
1
This is Why I’m Hot...
Senior Maija Lahde had a solid outing
against the UC Davis Aggies, picking up her first
double-double of the season, with 19 points and
11 rebounds. Lahde was 7-of-16 from the floor,
while knocking down 3-of-4 three pointers. Three
three pointers ties her career-high of long range
shots, as she has knocked down three from long
range twice before. On the boards the forward
pulled down six defensive and five offensive
rebounds, totaling a game-high 11. Lahde was
also able to get some of her teammates involved,
dishing out four assists and picking up one steal.
Lahde finished the night totaling the most points,
rebounds, and assists of any player on the floor.
Scouting the Bengals
Idaho State currently holds a 3-8 record, with
their wins coming against Alcorn State, Utah
State, and Montana Western. The Bengals lost
their last outing on December 13, falling to Utah
Valley on the road, 65-76.
As a team Idaho State shoots 36.7 percent
from the floor, while their opponents have
knocked down 39.8 percent of their attempts.
The Bengals are edged on the boards as well, with
their opponents averaging 4.5 more rebounds per
contest. As a whole Idaho State is averaging 59.9
points per game, while the Gaels are averaging
71.6.
Individually Idaho State is led by Michelle
Grohs, averaging 12.2 points and 7.3 rebounds
per game. Grohs is shooting 42.5 percent from
the floor, and is even better from long range,
knocking down 26-of-53 (49.1 percent) attempts
this season. On defense Grohs has totaled teamhighs in both blocks and steals, picking up 15
and 16 respectively. Also in double-digits for the
Bengals is Oana Iacovita, totaling 130 points for a
11.8 average. Iacovita leads the team in rebounds
per game, recording 9.0. Dishing out the offense
is Jenna Brown, spreading the wealth through 45
total assists.
The Series, SMC vs. Idaho State
The Gaels look to continue their perfect
record against the Bengals, posting a 5-0 all-time
record. The last time these two teams faced each
other was in 1994, when Saint Mary’s defeated
Idaho State 101-75 on December 10. That season
the Gaels faced the Bengals three times, with all
three ending in wins for Saint Mary’s.
Scouting the Broncos
Boise State has started the season with a 5-6
record, with wins coming over Seattle, Portland,
Southern Utah, Montana State, and Idaho State.
The Broncos most recently lost to fellow WCC
school, Loyola Marymount, 72-68. In the loss the
Broncos were led by Brittany Moore, totaling 17
points on 7-of-15 shooting from the floor. Also
in double-digits was Jenna Galassi, finishing with
14 points on 6-of-9 shooting.
On the season Boise State is averaging 64.9
points per game, while shooting 37.9 percent
from the field. Their opponents average 66.9
points, and are shooting 39.0 percent from the
2
floor. On the boards they have given up 1.1
more per game, but have kept their turnovers to a
minimum, forcing 230 to their 207.
Individually the team is led by Tasha Harris, averaging an impressive 17.7 points. Harris
is shooting 54.8 percent from the floor, 55.6
percent from long range (5-of-9), and 77.8 percent
from the free throw line. Marisa Stotler paces
the team on the boards, averaging 6.4 rebound
per contest and 10.6 points. Orchestrating the
offense is Jamia Malone, dishing out a team-high
32 assists, while also adding 16 steals.
The Series, SMC vs. Boise State
The Gaels are 3-2 all-time versus Boise State,
while winning the last three straight. The two
teams last faced on November 24, 2007, when
the Gaels hosted the Broncos at their annual
Concord Hilton Thanksgiving Classic. Saint
Mary’s defeated Boise State 78-63 to clinch the
invitational title.
Media Coverage
Gael fans are in luck this season, as they will
be able to follow the women’s basketball team
throughout the season. There are multiple ways
to track the team’s success, including live stats,
live internet radio, and live video streaming.
To access all of these tools, visit www.
SMCGaels.com. For live stats click on the Live
Stats button on the top right corner of the front
page, and for video and radio broadcasts click
on the Gael Vision button, also located on the
front page. Live Stats are free of charge for any
Gael fan, while radio and video broadcast will be
available for $7.95 per month or $49.95 for the
2008-09 athletic season.
All three of these features will be available for
every home game, while radio broadcasts will be
provided for all road games as well. Jordan Greif,
a senior at Saint Mary’s, will return this season
as the voice of the Gaels in McKeon Pavilion,
while Mandy Bible, the Media Relations Director
and women’s basketball contact, will dust off the
headphones and provide the play-by-play on all
road trips.
Block Watch 2008-09
After a record breaking freshman campaign
sophomore Louella Tomlinson returns to the
Gaels as the nation’s leading shot blocker. After
posting 4.9 blocks per game last season, Tomlinson is on pace to break her own record, totaling
60 blocks for a 5.5 average. Tomlinson leads
the West Coast Conference in blocks per game,
posting over three more blocks per game than the
next best player.
Against the Flyers of Dayton and Nevada
Wolfpack Tomlinson tabbed a season-high nine
blocks.
New Kids on the Block
Coach Thomas has had to rely on his young
players this season, as 62.0 percent of the Gaels’
scoring has come from freshmen and sophomores. Sophomore Louella Tomlinson leads the
Gaels with a 12.8 points per game average, while
four freshman have seen significant minutes.
Freshmen Ashlee Smith, Katie Batlin, Alex Carbonel, and Amber Coatney make up 36.3 percent
of the Gaels points this season, combining for
286 points.
Gaels Picked Fourth in WCC
The Saint Mary’s women’s basketball team
was picked to finish fourth in the West Coast
Conference this upcoming season. The poll is
2008-09 Saint Mary’s Roster
No.
1
2
3
5
10
11
12
13
14
21
22
23
24
25
32
33
Name
Maija Lahde
Louella Tomlinson
Erika Ruiz
Alex Carbonel
Sierra Chambers
Alyssa Levesque
Suzie Davis
Kira Kojola
Amber Coatney
Katie Batlin
Jontelle Smith
Andrea Bailey
Leanna Richey
Lindsay Ellis
Jasmine Smith
Ashlee Smith
Head Coach:
Assistant Coaches:
Dir. of Basketball Ops:
Pos. Ht.
F
6-1
F
6-4
G
5-5
G
5-6
G
5-10
F
6-0
G
5-11
G
5-10
G
5-9
G
5-11
G
5-5
G
6-0
F
6-3
C
6-6
G
5-8
F
6-1
Yr.
RSr.
So.
So.
Fr.
RJr.
Fr.
So.
Jr.
Fr.
Fr.
Sr.
Fr.
So.
Jr.
RSo.
Fr.
Exp. Hometown (Previous School)
Espoo, Finland (Makelanrinteen lukio)
Melbourne, Australia (Lake Ginnideppa College)
Vallejo, CA (St. Patrick-St. Vincent HS)
Fremont, CA (American HS)
Las Vegas, NV (Centennial HS)
Martinez, CA (Carondelet HS)
Oxnard, CA (Pacifica HS)
Espoo, Finland (Kauniaisten Lukio)
Compton, CA (Lynwood HS)
Moraga, CA (Miramonte HS)
Pinole, CA (Pinole Valley HS)
The Dalles, OR (Dalles Wahtonka)
Brentwood, CA (Liberty HS)
Sacramento, CA (Capital Christian HS)
Pinole, CA (Oregon State)
Vancouver, WA (Skyview HS)
Paul Thomas (Third Year/Wayne State, 1986)
Tasha Burnett (Third Year/Cal Poly Pomona, 2004)
Jesse Clark (Second Year/Pacific Union College, 2002)
Tracy Johnston (Third Year/Saint Mary’s College, 2000)
Stephani Harrison (First Year/Saint Mary’s College, 2008)
--2008-09 Women’s Basketball Weekly Notes --
Women’s Basketball Facts
Head Coach: Paul Thomas
Alma Mater, Year: Wayne State, 1986
Record at SMC: 31-40 (Third Year)
Career Record: 267-198 (17th Year)
Office Phone: (925) 631-8546
Assistant Coaches:
Tasha Burnett (Third Year)
Tracy Johnston (Third Year)
Jesse Clark (Second Year)
2008-09 Record: 2-89
2008-09 WCC Record: 0-0
SMC All-Time Record: 494-364
SMC All-Time WCC Record: 170-124
2007-08 Record: 15-17
2007-08 WCC Record: 6-8
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 9/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
Newcomers: 6
College Facts
Location: Moraga, CA 94575
Address: 1928 Saint Mary’s Road
Founded: 1863
Enrollment: 3,916
Mascot: Gaels
Colors: Navy, Red and Silver
Home Court: McKeon Pavilion
NCAA Affiliation: Division I
Conference: West Coast
President: Br. Ronald Gallagher, FSC
Director of Athletics: Mark Orr
Assoc. A.D. Game Operations:
Mark Papadopoulos
Assoc. A.D. Recreational Sports:
Marty Storti
Asst. A.D. Student Support/SWA:
Katie Davis
Asst. A.D. Media Relations:
Rich Davi
Asst. A.D. Compliance:
Stephanie Shrieve
Asst. A.D. of Student Support Services:
Kari Montero
Asst. A.D. of External Relations:
Mike Samuels
Asst. A.D. of Business Operations:
Kami Gray
Director of Promotions:
Staci Hamaguchi
Director of Ticket Operations:
Neal McSherry
Athletic Dep. Phone: (925) 631-4383
Head Athletic Trainer: Tim Podesta
Media Relations Director (WBB Contact):
Mandy Bible
Office Phone: (925) 631-8562
Cell Phone: (925) 878-1601
Email: [email protected]
Fax: (925) 631-4405
SMC Press Row: (925) 376-3906
Athletics Website: www.SMCGaels.com
decided on by the eight conference head coaches,
with Saint Mary’s finishing with 29 points. Maija
Lahde, Jontelle Smith, and Louella Tomlinson
were all named to the top returning players list, as
the Gaels garnered the most players of any team.
The Gaels, who registered a first round win
in last year’s conference tournament, returns
the nation’s leading shot blocker in sophomore
Louella Tomlinson and a healthy Majia Lahde,
who returns after missing the year with a knee
injury. Jontelle Smith, a two-time All-WCC
selection also returns for the Gaels, as these three
players will combine for the perfect triple threat.
Three players on the top-returning players list was
the most of any team, as Gonzaga was next best
with two Bulldogs.
Gonzaga was chosen as the favorite to claim
the WCC women’s basketball title, as the Zags
try to defend their WCC regular season title. The
Bulldogs, who received seven first place votes for
a total of 49 points, lost in the finals of last year’s
WCC tournament to host San Diego, and ended
up hosting their first round match up in the
WNIT, where they beat UC Davis.
Fresh Faces
Head coach Paul Thomas and the Saint
Mary’s women’s basketball team were more than
pleased with their 2008-09 freshman class, as four
incoming Gaels garnered multiple awards in their
respective divisions, leagues, and areas. Freshmen Alex Carbonel, Katie Batlin, Ashlee Smith,
and Amber Coatney, were all recognized for the
achievements prior to arriving at Saint Mary’s,
and they look to turn some heads this upcoming
season.
Headlining the group is Alex Carbonel,
a guard from American High School who was
named the East Bay Girls Basketball Player of the
Year by the Tri-Valley Herald. Carbonel averaged
an impressive 27.8 points and 6.5 assists per
game, as she helped lead American to a MVAL
league playoff title. The guard finished her career
at American with 2,109 points, while breaking a
variety of other school records.
Local standout Katie Batlin’s resume is
not too shabby either, as the 5-10 guard from
Miramonte High School has also earned multiple
honors. Batlin is a familiar face in the Lamorinda
area, was named the Contra Costa Times Girls
Basketball Player of the Year following her stellar
senior season, averaging 15.5 points, 6.7 assists,
6.1 rebounds and 3.8 steals.
Rounding out the list of incoming freshmen are Ashlee Smith, Amber Coatney, Alyssa
Levesque and Andrea Bailey. Smith joins Saint
Mary’s from Skyview High School in Washington,
where she was named to the Washington State
4A All Tournament First Team, the Associated
Press 4A All-State First Team, and the SeattleTimes All-State Second Team.
Coatney is a 5-9 guard from Compton, CA
and comes to Moraga after competing on a very
talented Lynnwood High School team. The guard
averaged 8.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals and
2.0 assists per game.
Levesque and Bailey provide strong walk-ons
Head Coach
Paul Thomas
Head coach Paul Thomas enters his third
season at the helm of the Saint Mary’s women’s
basketball program. Last season Thomas’ Gaels
advanced to the second round of the West Coast
Conference tournament for the first time in four
season, as they defeated Loyola Marymount in
their opening game. In two seasons Thomas has
accumulated a 14-14 record in West Coast Conference play, and has an overall career record of 265189 in 16 seasons of coaching.
The 2007-08 season was an important year
for the women’s basketball program, as they made
great strides and improved their RPI by 56 spots
from the year before. In addition to lowering their
RPI, the Gaels participated in a much stronger
West Coast Conference, as the WCC finished as
the eighth strongest Division I conference.
Thomas helped the Gaels gain spots in the
RPI by compiling a tough 2007-08 schedule, facing
10 teams that made the postseason, including six
in the NCAA tournament and four in the WNIT.
Behind Thomas’ scheduling Saint Mary’s strength
of schedule ranking improved from No. 202 to No.
68, as they improved an impressive 134 spots in
just one season. Saint Mary’s posted wins against
four of the 10 postseason teams, including eventual
WCC tournament champions, San Diego.
In his second year Thomas continued to
instill his style of play in the Gaels, combining a
high intensity defense with a free flowing offensive.
The Gaels averaged 69.7 points per game, ranking
second in the WCC. Thomas guided Jontelle
Smith to her second consecutive WCC All-Conference accolade, leading Saint Mary’s offensively as
she averaged 16.8 points per game, while knocking
down 84 three-pointers on the year. Smith’s 84
three-pointers boosted her career count to 190,
clinching the Saint Mary’s record for three-pointers
made in a career.
Defensively the most impressive stat of the
season was achieved by a member of Thomas’ first
recruiting class, freshman Louella Tomlinson. The
forward broke the NCAA Division I record for
blocks in a single season, totaling 156 in her freshman campaign. In addition to topping the NCAA,
the Aussie shattered the WCC single season
record, while breaking every Saint Mary’s block
record in her debut season.
Saint Mary’s Director of Athletics Mark Orr
announced the hiring of Paul Thomas as the new
head women’s basketball coach at Saint Mary’s
College on August 9, 2006. Thomas became the
eighth head coach in the program’s 28-year history.
Thomas joins Saint Mary’s after serving as
head women’s coach at Cal Poly Pomona for the
past 12 seasons. Thomas led Cal Poly Pomona to
back-to-back NCAA Division II National Championships in 2001 and 2002.
--2008-09 Women’s Basketball Weekly Notes --
3
to the 2008-09 program, as they battle for a spot
on the floor. With 10 returnees and this solid
group of new players, Thomas and the Gaels will
continue to battle in the very competitive West
Coast Conference.
2007-08 All-Conference Selections
Last season Saint Mary’s women’s basketball
earned two WCC All-Conference recognitions,
as junior Jontelle Smith was selected to the WCC
All-Conference First Team, and freshman Louella
Tomlinson earned WCC All-Freshman Honors.
Smith’s award marked the third consecutive year
that the guard was named to a WCC All-Conference team, while Tomlinson earned her first
following her debut season.
Smith averaged 17.3 points per game in
conference play. The guard shot an impressive
Associated Press
Top 25
As of 12/20/08
No. School
Record
1.
Connecticut (31)
7-0
2.
North Carolina
11-0
3.
Texas A&M
9-0
4.
Stanford
7-1
5.
Texas
9-0
6.
Oklahoma
8-2
7. (tie) Notre Dame
8-1
7. (tie) Baylor
9-1
9.
California
8-2
10. Auburn
10-0
11.
Louisville
9-1
12. Duke
6-1
13. Tennessee
7-2
14. Rutgers
6-2
15. Virginia
7-2
16. Maryland
8-2
17.
Ohio State
8-2
18. Kansas State
9-0
19. Pittsburgh
7-1
20. Vanderbilt
8-2
21.
Arizona State
7-2
22
South Dakota State 10-1
23. Oklahoma State
4-2
24. Florida
10-1
25. TCU
8-3
Points
775
741
697
673
648
612
550
550
496
466
456
449
430
373
430
304
265
254
219
171
132
97
77
65
59
Dropped out: No. 23 Purdue (6-4), No. 25 Minnesota (8-2).
Others receiving votes: Minnesota (8-2) 24;
Old Dominion (5-2) 23; Georgia Tech (8-2)
22; Purdue (6-4) 22; Xavier (8-3) 20; Wisconsin
(10-1) 15; Marist (8-1) 14; New Mexico (9-1) 12;
Florida State (8-2) 9; DePaul (9-2) 5; Houston
(6-2) 5; Iowa State (7-2) 5; Nebraska (8-2) 4;
Georgia (7-3) 2; Gonzaga (9-3) 2; Western Kentucky (6-2) 2; Hartford (5-5) 1; Michigan (6-4) 1;
North Carolina A&T (4-3) 1; Quinnipiac (8-1)
1; Wake Forest (8-0) 1.
.
2008-09 Opponents: BOLD
4
38.8 percent (84-of-198) from the floor during
the regular season, and was on target from long
range, knocking down 40-of-98 attempts. Smith
totaled 40 made shots from beyond the arc,
compiling a 2.85 per threes per game average, and
led the conference in both total three pointers
made and three pointers per game. Smith earned
WCC First Team honors as a sophomore, and
was named to the honorable mention team following her freshman season.
Tomlinson, a native of Melbourne, Australia,
found her niche with the Gaels right from the
start. The forward averaged 13.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.85 blocks per game in WCC competitions. The freshman, who was known for her
blocking capabilities prior to the non-conference
season, continued to swat her opponents during
the regular season, tabbing 68 blocks in WCC
play. The Aussie broke two WCC records in her
first year as a Gael, breaking the record for blocks
in a single season and blocks in single season in
WCC games only.
1,000 Point Mile Mark
Jontelle Smith reached the 1,000 point mile
mark as a junior, posting 22 points against Pepperdine on February 16. The guard had recorded
994 points in her career prior to the game, and
tabbed 22 points to top 1,000 points.
In her first two seasons Smith recorded 660
total points. Last season Smith increased her
scoring capabilities, totaling 469 points. The
Pinole native has scored 1,131 total points in her
career, becoming just the ninth player in Saint
Mary’s history to reach 1,000 points. Smith ranks
seventh on the all-time scoring list, while assistant
coach Tracy Johnston tops the list with 1,807
career points.
Smith also ranks fifth in career scoring
average (13.4 points per game), seventh in field
goal attempts (944), first in three-point field
goals (190), and first in three-point field goals
attempted (492).
Return to Sender
Sophomore Louella Tomlinson broke every
Saint Mary’s record for blocks, two West Coast
Conference records, and two NCAA records, in
just her freshman season. Last year the forward
accumulated 156 blocks in 32 games, and 68
blocks in conference play (14 games). Tomlinson
broke the NCAA record for blocks in a season,
and the NCAA record for blocks by a freshman.
Within the WCC season Tomlinson destroyed
the record for blocks in a season and blocks in
WCC play, while rewriting the Saint Mary’s
record books. Not only did Tomlinson break
every SMC individual block record, but the 6-4
long-armed Aussie totaled more blocks on her
own than a Saint Mary’s team had done in a
single season.
Smith For Three!!!
Junior guard Jontelle Smith has been a
threat from long range throughout her career at
Saint Mary’s. The guard totaled 106 made three
pointers after her first two seasons as a Gael, and
Last Time Out
Moraga, CA – The Saint Mary’s women’s
basketball improved to 2-9 on the season
Thursday night, as they defeated Seattle (4-5)
84-71. Five different Gaels reached double
figures in scoring, including 18 points by
Kira Kojola and Louella Tomlinson. Kojola’s
18 points was a new career-high, as the
junior knocked down 6-of-8 shots from the
field, including four from long range. Kojola
added four steals, two rebounds, and one
assist to her breakthrough performance.
Tomlinson was cold to start the game, but
heated up to score 14 points in the second
half. The Aussie had a near triple-double,
pulling down 13 rebounds and recording
seven blocks. Senior Maija Lade also had a
double-double for the Gaels, finishing the
night with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Alex
Carbonel and Sierra Chambers chipped in
14 points apiece in the game, while Ashlee
Smith posted seven rebounds.
Kojola was on fire in the first, knocking
down three from long range, as she was a
perfect 5-of-5 from the field. The junior totaled 14 points in the half, while picking up
two rebounds and two steals. Carbonel was
not far behind with nine points of her own,
while also chipping in four rebounds, three
assists, and one steal.
Saint Mary’s never surrendered the lead
in the game, expanding their advantage to
as many as 17 in the second half. With a
five-point lead at half time the Gaels went
on huge run to start the second, as the team
took advantage of five straight possessions to
take a 54-39 lead with 14:30 to play. Seattle
began to work their way back into the game
late in the second, going on an offensive
run of their own. The Redhawks closed the
gap to seven with 6:41 on the clock, but
the Gaels answered back with a pair of free
throws and a Tomlinson jumper. From that
point on the Gaels held onto the lead, keeping Seattle at a comfortable distance.
The Redhawks were led by Chelsie Morrison with a game-high 21 points on 8-of-14
shooting. The only other Seattle player to
reach double-digits was Julee Christianson,
finishing the night with 11.
The Gaels return to action on the road, as
they face Idaho State and Boise State in their
next two competitions. Saint Mary’s will first
take on the Idaho State Tigers on Saturday,
December 20 at 1:05 PM PT. The team will
then travel back to Boise, where they face the
Broncos of Boise State on Monday, December 22 at 6:00 PM PT.
--2008-09 Women’s Basketball Weekly Notes --
has remained on target from beyond the arc. Last
season she knocked down 84 threes, with a 38.9
shooting percentage from beyond the arc. Her
84 threes boosted her total count to 190 threes
in her career, surpassing the Saint Mary’s record
for three pointers in a career. The junior broke
the record against Gonzaga on March 1, knocking
down three three-pointers in the game. Smith
passed Anja Bordt’s (‘91) record of 185.
Jontelle Smith broke the Saint Mary’s record
for three pointers made in a single season, recording three treys against the Gonzaga Bulldogs on
March 1, boosting her season count to 80. Smith
finished with 84 three pointers, breaking the
previous record of 78, held by Kim Rubenstein
during the 1994-95 season.
Lahde Returns for Fifth Year
After suffering a season ending knee injury
against the Pacific Tigers on November 28, 2007,
Maija Lahde was unsure whether she would play
in a Gael jersey again.
Fortunately for Saint Mary’s Lahde decided
to return to the Gaels. “My parents told me that
they would support me in whatever I decided. I
love it here at Saint Mary’s, I love the team and
the coaches, and I feel good about the direction
the program is going,” said Lahde.
Although the senior participated in seven
games for the Gaels in 2007, NCAA Div. I rules
allow players to get their year of eligibility back
if they play in less than 30 percent of the team’s
competition schedule. Luckily for Head Coach
Paul Thomas and the Gaels, Lahde played in 23%
of Saint Mary’s schedule, not including West
Coast Conference Tournament action, allowing
her to medically red shirt the 2007-08 season.
At 25 years old Lahde will bring a wealth of
knowledge and experience to the young 2008-09
squad. Lahde joins fellow senior Jontelle Smith
for their final year of play.
2008 WCC Overall Standings
2008 WCC Preseason Poll
As of 12/21/08
Announced 10/16/08
Team
Loyola Marymount
Gonzaga
San Diego
Pepperdine
Portland
San Francisco
Saint Mary’s
Santa Clara
WCC
0-0
0-0
0-0
0-0
0-0
0-0
0-0
0-0
*2008 NCAA Tournament Team
&2008 NIT Team
Overall
8-2
9-3
7-4
5-5
4-6
3-7
2-9
1-10
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Team
Gonzaga
Loyola Marymount
San Diego
Saint Mary’s
Santa Clara
Pepperdine
Portland
San Francisco
Points
49 (7)
40 (1)
37
29
20
19
16
14
(First place votes)
COMING UP NEXT
The Gaels will receive some much deserved
rest during the holidays, and return to action in
the Bay against California on December 29 at
7:00 PM in Haas Pavilion.
Ticket Information
Season tickets are available through the Saint Mary’s
ticket office. You can also purchase tickets the day of
the game, based on availability. Reserve tickets are
available beginning at $15 with General Admissions
beginning at $10. To purchuse tickets for any Saint
Mary’s basketball game, call the Ticket Office at:
925.631.GOTX
Saint Mary’s Web Site
Fans can access all the latest news and notes about
Gael Athletics by accessing the Saint Mary’s website
at www.SMCGaels.com. All Saint Mary’s releases,
results, statistics, box scores, schedules and coach and
player information is available on the site. Game
recaps and statistics are updated after each contest. To
follow the Gaels on the web, go to:
www.SMCGaels.com
--2008-09 Women’s Basketball Weekly Notes --
5
women’s Basketball
2008-09 Season Statistics
RECORD:
ALL GAMES...........
CONFERENCE..........
NON-CONFERENCE......
OVERALL
(2-9)
(0-0)
(2-9)
HOME
(2-2)
(0-0)
(2-2)
AWAY
(0-5)
(0-0)
(0-5)
NEUTRAL
(0-2)
(0-0)
(0-2)
|---TOTAL---| |---3-PTS---|
|----REBOUNDS----|
## Player
GP-GS Min--Avg FG-FGA
Pct 3FG-FGA
Pct FT-FTA
Pct Off Def Tot Avg PF FO
A TO Blk Stl Pts Avg
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------02 TOMLINSON, Louella. 11-11 284 25.8 58-161 .360
2-9
.222 23-32
.719
32 60
92 8.4 35 2 24 46 60
6 141 12.8
01 LAHDE, Maija....... 11-11 322 29.3 44-115 .383
9-19
.474 24-44
.545
23 46
69 6.3 24 1 22 27
1 11 121 11.0
33 SMITH, Ashlee...... 11-1
213 19.4 38-64
.594
1-4
.250 19-34
.559
27 30
57 5.2 20 0
4 17
2 10
96 8.7
05 CARBONEL, Alex..... 11-8
264 24.0 30-81
.370
8-16
.500 24-32
.750
13 25
38 3.5 14 0 18 33
1
9
92 8.4
10 CHAMBERS, Sierra... 11-4
167 15.2 34-75
.453
2-4
.500 13-28
.464
5 23
28 2.5 25 1 18 31
2
8
83 7.5
13 KOJOLA, Kira....... 11-6
219 19.9 28-55
.509 15-30
.500
4-10
.400
14 11
25 2.3 14 0 13 14
1
9
75 6.8
21 BATLIN, Katie...... 11-3
178 16.2 23-55
.418
5-8
.625 11-21
.524
11 24
35 3.2 26 0 22 36
0 11
62 5.6
14 COATNEY, Amber..... 11-7
187 17.0 10-34
.294
3-6
.500 13-20
.650
8 18
26 2.4 21 0
7 21
9
7
36 3.3
03 RUIZ, Erika........ 9-0
90 10.0
8-19
.421
2-8
.250
4-9
.444
1
5
6 0.7
6 0 14 16
0
2
22 2.4
25 ELLIS, Lindsay..... 11-0
115 10.5 11-24
.458
0-0
.000
4-10
.400
10 19
29 2.6 21 1
4
8
2
3
26 2.4
22 SMITH, Jontelle.... 1-1
2 2.0
1-1
1.000
0-0
.000
0-0
.000
0
0
0 0.0
0 0
0
1
0
0
2 2.0
12 DAVIS, Suzie....... 10-0
76 7.6
7-22
.318
0-5
.000
4-6
.667
4
4
8 0.8
7 0
5
6
0
4
18 1.8
24 RICHEY, Leanna..... 10-3
79 7.9
3-6
.500
0-0
.000
8-12
.667
8 11
19 1.9 14 0
1
1
1
6
14 1.4
11 LEVESQUE, Alyssa... 3-0
4 1.3
0-3
.000
0-1
.000
0-0
.000
1
1
2 0.7
1 0
0
0
0
0
0 0.0
TEAM...............
25 20
45 4.1
0
2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Total.............. 11
2200
295-715 .413 47-110 .427 151-258 .585 182 297 479 43.5 228 5 152 259 79 86 788 71.6
Opponents.......... 11
2200
338-775 .436 65-182 .357 199-277 .718 185 302 487 44.3 219 - 202 197 29 135 940 85.5
TEAM STATISTICS
SMC
OPP
-------------------------------------------------SCORING.................
788
940
Points per game.......
71.6
85.5
Scoring margin........
-13.8
FIELD GOALS-ATT.........
295-715
338-775
Field goal pct........
.413
.436
3 POINT FG-ATT..........
47-110
65-182
3-point FG pct........
.427
.357
3-pt FG made per game.
4.3
5.9
FREE THROWS-ATT.........
151-258
199-277
Free throw pct........
.585
.718
F-Throws made per game
13.7
18.1
REBOUNDS................
479
487
Rebounds per game.....
43.5
44.3
Rebounding margin.....
-0.7
ASSISTS.................
152
202
Assists per game......
13.8
18.4
TURNOVERS...............
259
197
Turnovers per game....
23.5
17.9
Turnover margin.......
-5.6
Assist/turnover ratio.
0.6
1.0
STEALS..................
86
135
Steals per game.......
7.8
12.3
BLOCKS..................
79
29
Blocks per game.......
7.2
2.6
ATTENDANCE..............
2027
9480
Home games-Avg/Game...
4-507
5-1896
Neutral site-Avg/Game.
2-0
SCORE BY PERIODS:
------------------------Saint Mary’s.............
Opponents................
6
1st 2nd
---- ---375 413
466 474
DATE
-----------11/15/08
11/16/08
11/17/08
11/21/08
11/23/08
11/28/08
11/29/08
12/01/08
11/6/08
12/16/08
12/18/08
vs
at
vs
at
at
at
at
OPPONENT
-------------------Old Dominion
Texas
Dayton
Cal State Fullerton
Nevada
LA SALLE
INDIANA
Minnesota
UC DAVIS
CSU Bakersfield
SEATTLE
Total
---788
940
--2008-09 Women’s Basketball Weekly Notes --
W/L
--L
L
L
L
L
W
L
L
L
L
W
SCORE ATTEND
----- -----63-93
76-110
4125
62-68
74-88
228
91-99
511
61-55
315
63-80
590
72-98
4238
69-85
699
73-93
378
84-71
423
women’s Basketball
2008-09 Exhibition Statistics
RECORD:
ALL GAMES...........
CONFERENCE..........
NON-CONFERENCE......
OVERALL
(2-0)
(0-0)
(2-0)
HOME
(2-0)
(0-0)
(2-0)
AWAY
(0-0)
(0-0)
(0-0)
NEUTRAL
(0-0)
(0-0)
(0-0)
|---TOTAL---| |---3-PTS---|
|----REBOUNDS----|
## Player
GP-GS Min--Avg FG-FGA
Pct 3FG-FGA
Pct FT-FTA
Pct Off Def Tot Avg PF FO
A TO Blk Stl Pts Avg
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------02 TOMLINSON, Louella. 2-2
47 23.5 20-34
.588
1-2
.500
6-7
.857
3 11
14 7.0
5 0
4
4
6
0
47 23.5
22 SMITH, Jontelle.... 2-2
58 29.0 10-22
.455
8-17
.471
5-6
.833
7
2
9 4.5
4 0
5
7
0
2
33 16.5
33 SMITH, Ashlee...... 2-0
37 18.5 10-16
.625
0-0
.000
5-8
.625
1
7
8 4.0
3 0
2
5
1
5
25 12.5
01 LAHDE, Maija....... 2-2
51 25.5
9-16
.563
0-0
.000
4-6
.667
4
8
12 6.0
0 0
9
5
1
2
22 11.0
21 BATLIN, Katie...... 2-2
34 17.0
7-14
.500
0-2
.000
1-1
1.000
2
2
4 2.0
3 0
6
7
0
4
15 7.5
13 KOJOLA, Kira....... 2-0
23 11.5
4-5
.800
3-4
.750
1-2
.500
4
3
7 3.5
0 0
4
2
0
3
12 6.0
03 RUIZ, Erika........ 2-0
27 13.5
3-5
.600
0-2
.000
2-2
1.000
1
3
4 2.0
1 0
3
4
0
1
8 4.0
05 CARBONEL, Alex..... 2-0
39 19.5
3-6
.500
0-0
.000
1-2
.500
2
2
4 2.0
4 0 12
8
0
3
7 3.5
12 DAVIS, Suzie....... 2-0
13 6.5
2-3
.667
1-2
.500
1-4
.250
0
1
1 0.5
0 0
0
2
0
0
6 3.0
24 RICHEY, Leanna..... 2-2
17 8.5
1-2
.500
0-0
.000
2-6
.333
1
3
4 2.0
0 0
0
2
1
0
4 2.0
25 ELLIS, Lindsay..... 2-0
22 11.0
1-4
.250
0-0
.000
2-2
1.000
3
7
10 5.0
8 1
0
2
1
0
4 2.0
14 COATNEY, Amber..... 2-0
26 13.0
1-4
.250
1-3
.333
0-0
.000
2
4
6 3.0
6 0
2
4
1
2
3 1.5
11 LEVESQUE, Alyssa... 1-0
6 6.0
0-1
.000
0-0
.000
0-0
.000
1
1
2 2.0
1 0
0
0
0
0
0 0.0
TEAM...............
5
4
9 4.5
0
0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Total.............. 2
400
71-132 .538 14-32
.438 30-46
.652
36 58
94 47.0 35 1 47 52 11 22 186 93.0
Opponents.......... 2
400
54-131 .412 10-18
.556 31-44
.705
26 37
63 31.5 40 - 28 46
8 26 149 74.5
TEAM STATISTICS
SMC
OPP
-------------------------------------------------SCORING.................
186
149
Points per game.......
93.0
74.5
Scoring margin........
+18.5
FIELD GOALS-ATT.........
71-132
54-131
Field goal pct........
.538
.412
3 POINT FG-ATT..........
14-32
10-18
3-point FG pct........
.438
.556
3-pt FG made per game.
7.0
5.0
FREE THROWS-ATT.........
30-46
31-44
Free throw pct........
.652
.705
F-Throws made per game
15.0
15.5
REBOUNDS................
94
63
Rebounds per game.....
47.0
31.5
Rebounding margin.....
+15.5
ASSISTS.................
47
28
Assists per game......
23.5
14.0
TURNOVERS...............
52
46
Turnovers per game....
26.0
23.0
Turnover margin.......
-3.0
Assist/turnover ratio.
0.9
0.6
STEALS..................
22
26
Steals per game.......
11.0
13.0
BLOCKS..................
11
8
Blocks per game.......
5.5
4.0
ATTENDANCE..............
548
0
Home games-Avg/Game...
2-274
0-0
Neutral site-Avg/Game.
0-0
SCORE BY PERIODS:
------------------------Saint Mary’s.............
Opponents................
1st 2nd
---- ---97
89
69
80
DATE
-----------11/7/08
11/9/08
OPPONENT
-------------------SHOWTIME BASKETBALL
SAN FRANCISCO STATE
W/L
--W
W
SCORE
----100-74
86-75
ATTEND
-----548
Total
---186
149
--2008-09 Women’s Basketball Weekly Notes --
7
1
Maija Lahde
6-1 - Sr. - F
Espoo, Finland
11
Alyssa Levesque
6-0 - Fr. - F
Martinez, CA
22
Jontelle Smith
5-5 - Sr. - G
Pinole, CA
2
Louella Tomlinson
6-4 - So. - F
Melbourne, Australia
12
Suzie Davis
5-11 - So. - G
Oxnard, CA
23
3
Erika Ruiz
5-5 - So. - G
Vallejo, CA
13
Kira Kojola
5-10 - Jr. - G
Espoo, Finland
24
5
Alex Carbonel
5-6 - Fr. - G
Fremont, CA
14
Amber Coatney
5-9 - Fr. - G
Compton, CA
25
10
Sierra Chambers
5-10 - Jr. - G
Las Vegas, NZ
21
Katie Batlin
5-11 - Fr. - G
Moraga, CA
32
Andrea Bailey
6-0 - Fr. -G
The Dalles, OR
Leanna Richey
6-3 - So. - F
Brentwood, CA
Lindsay Ellis
6-6 - Jr. - C
Sacramento, CA
Jasmine Smith
5-8 - RS So. - G
Pinole, CA
Paul Thomas
Head Coach
Third Year
Tasha Burnett
Assistant Coach
Third Year
Tracy Johnston
Assistant Coach
Third Year
Jesse Clark
Assistant Coach
Second Year
33
Ashlee Smith
6-1 - Fr. - F
Vancouver, WA
8
---2008-09
-2008-09 Women’s
Women’s Basketball
Basketball Weekly
Weekly Notes
Notes ---