San Antonio – St. Mary’s University women’s basketball players Rachel Jones and Natalie Gamez were named to the Lady Rattler Christmas Classic All-Tournament Team for their play in the two-day tournament on Wednesday and Thursday, it was announced on Friday.

Jones (Jr., Little Rock, Ark.) was named tournament MVP for her play in leading the Rattlers to the tournament title. Jones averaged 13.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists, while shooting 52.4 percent from the field. Against Missouri-Rolla Jones scored nine of her game-high 15 points in leading a second half comeback. She also dished out the game-winning assist, a pass that Juanita Merchant put in with 2.2 seconds left in the game. She also pulled down six rebounds and dished out five assists. Against Hillsdale she hit on 5-of-7 shots from the field for 12 points and had three assists.

Gamez (Jr., San Antonio) scored in double figures in both games and earned all-tournament honors for her play. She scored a team-high 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in the Rattlers win over Hillsdale on Wednesday. She followed that up with 11 points, three rebounds and three assists in the Rattlers win last night. She averaged 14.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 rebounds per game for the Rattlers in the tournament.

The Rattlers have won six straight games and are 7-4 overall this season. St. Mary’s will return to action on Sunday, December 30 in the first round of the St. Mary’s New Year’s Classic against Southeastern Oklahoma State University at 6 p.m.

Lady Rattler Christmas Classic All-Tournament Team
Nicole Gipson, Texas A&M-International
Katie Cezat, Hillsdale
Katie McElrath, Missouri-Rolla
Jennifer Pena, Missouri-Rolla
Natalie Gamez, St. Mary’s

MVP – Rachel Jones, St. Mary’s

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