Oregon State Women’s Basketball: Opponent Preview - Saint Mary’s

The Oregon State Women’s Basketball Team takes on the Saint Mary’s Gaels in game three of the 2018-19 season. Tip-off is slated for 6 PM PST on Saturday, November 17th. These teams last met back on March 17th, 2012, in the second round of the WNIT where the Beavers avenged an early season loss to the Gaels. Check out the team’s schedule or Twitter page for updates on how to follow along live. Let’s take a closer look at the Gaels.

Saint Mary’s (CA) (2-0 overall, 0-0 conference)

Last season: 20-11 overall, 13-5 in WCC (2nd), lost in first round of WNIT

Saint Mary’s is off to a 2-0 start after a pair of six point wins, first at home against Wyoming and then on the road at Washington State. They are currently averaging 80 points per game with five players averaging double digit scoring. The Gaels currently have upset on the mind as they face two top-ten ranked teams in Oregon State and Oregon over the next week.

The Gaels have have been no pushover under current head coach Paul Thomas, winning 20 games each of the last seven years. Last season, Saint Mary’s season ended in a two point loss at New Mexico in the first round of the WNIT, their 9th straight appearance in the second tiered postseason tournament.

Who to watch

#12 - Sydney Raggio, Senior Forward

A preseason All-WCC selection, Raggio currently leads all Gaels in points (16.5 per game), rebounds (7 per game), and assists (5 per game). As of right now, she looks to be the biggest threat against the Beavers.

#25 - Megan McKay, Senior Forward

The Aussie, McKay, is a returning All-WCC First Team member after leading the conference in field goal percentage while ranking in the top ten conference averages for points and rebounds last season.

#4 - Taycee Wedin, Freshman Guard

While she may not get a lot of playing time against the Beavers, one Oregon State player will certainly take notice when #4 enters the game. The all time leader in Oregon high school basketball for three pointers made (at 359), Wedin, was a teammate of Aleah Goodman’s at La Salle High School.

Prediction

Saint Mary’s is certainly a step up from Cal Poly and Arkansas Pine-Bluff (save the golden lion tamarin). They are the first team Oregon State will play that has participated in the post season a year ago, and they have a couple of quality forwards that could give the Beavers some issues. I expect that the Gaels will give the Beavers a fight, but ultimately the home team will pull away early in the second half for their third straight win.