LA JOLLA, Calif. – Natalie Gamez led three Rattlers scoring in double figures with 23 points as St. Mary’s University cruised to a 61-41 win over California State University-San Bernardino on the final day of the University of California-San Diego Women’s Basketball Classic.

Gamez (Sr., San Antonio) hit on 7-of-14 shots from the field, including 2-of-4 from three-point range to score her game high 23 points. She just missed a double-double, pulling down nine rebounds and also dished out five assists. Farren Fox (Jr., Marble Falls) had 10 points and seven rebounds, while Ashton Benford (Sr., Waxahachie) added 10 points and six rebounds.

The Rattlers defense was the difference in the game as they held CSUSB to just 26.8 percent shooting (15-56) in the game and forced 17 turnovers. St. Mary’s also outrebounded CSUSB 48-36.

St. Mary’s took the lead in the fifth minute of the game and never trailed again. A 17-5 run midway through the first half put the Rattlers up by 12 points at 23-11. They took a 28-21 lead into the locker room at halftime. But CSUSB rallied and pulled to within just two points on a Shana Gholar three-pointer with 12:04 left in the game. However the Rattlers buckled down and finished the game by outscoring CSUSB 23-6 to win going away.

With the win the Rattlers improved to 10-1 this season and have won eight straight games. CSUSB fell to 4-4 with the loss. St. Mary’s will enjoy a 10-day break before they return to action at the St. Mary’s New Year’s Classic on Dec. 30 against Eastern New Mexico at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast live over the internet at www.rattlerathletics.com.

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