San Diego rallies past Saint Mary’s 66-62 in WCC tournament opener after late momentum swing

Las Vegas tournament game turns on end-of-quarter shot and late defensive stops

San Diego advanced in the West Coast Conference (WCC) Women’s Basketball Championship on Thursday, March 5, 2026, edging Saint Mary’s 66-62 at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The Toreros, seeded No. 11, moved on to a second-round meeting with No. 7 seed San Francisco scheduled for Friday afternoon.

The game followed a sharp contrast in styles across four quarters: San Diego’s fast, perimeter-driven start created early separation, while Saint Mary’s steady half-court comeback produced repeated late-game lead changes before the Toreros closed at the free-throw line.

San Diego’s early three-point barrage builds a cushion

San Diego opened with a 23-13 first quarter, using spacing and early shot-making to establish tempo. The Toreros’ early offense leaned heavily on three-point shooting, and the first period also featured second-chance scoring that helped sustain the initial run. By the second quarter, Saint Mary’s defense tightened, limiting San Diego to 11 points in the period, which narrowed the margin heading into halftime.

• Score by quarter: San Diego 23-11-11-21
• Score by quarter: Saint Mary’s 13-13-18-18
• Final: San Diego 66, Saint Mary’s 62

Saint Mary’s comeback sets up a one-possession finish

Saint Mary’s made its most decisive push in the third quarter, outscoring San Diego 18-11 and using paint production and improved rebounding to pressure the Toreros into a one-point game entering the fourth. A running three-pointer at the end of the third quarter by San Diego’s Kylie Ray proved pivotal, flipping the lead to 45-44 and changing the tone heading into the final period.

Saint Mary’s led 62-61 with 1:55 remaining, but San Diego finished the game on a closing stretch from the free-throw line while Saint Mary’s offense went cold.

Key performers and late-game execution

Hallie Rhodes led San Diego with 22 points and nine rebounds, while Ray added 19 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. San Diego’s interior defense also played a decisive role late, with Lilly Amor recording four blocks and delivering a crucial stop in the final seconds; Amor also hit late free throws as Saint Mary’s final possessions came up empty.

For Saint Mary’s, Edie Clarke posted 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Malia Latu scored 19 points. Saint Mary’s created opportunities in the fourth quarter and generated multiple lead changes, but missed shots in the final two minutes—combined with San Diego’s 5-for-6 free-throw performance down the stretch—determined the outcome.

The result ended Saint Mary’s tournament run and sent San Diego forward in the conference bracket, with the Toreros’ early perimeter scoring and late defensive plays forming the game’s defining throughline.