USD Knocks Off St. Mary’s in Double Overtime

St. Mary’s College, the two-time defending West Coast Conference women’s basketball champion, is the favorite to repeat a third time. The Gaels’ Anja Bordt, the two-time defending player of the year, is the favorite to repeat a third time, too.

None of that, however, mattered much Thursday as the University of San Diego upset St. Mary’s, 86-79, in double overtime at the USD Sports Center.

After trailing by nine early, USD (7-9, 2-1) used a 13-0 run to get back in the game. It was 31-29, St. Mary’s at the half, and 66-66 at the end of regulation. Chris Enger, who missed a shot at the end of regulation, made two free throws with 15 seconds left in the first overtime to tie it again, 75-75. St. Mary’s then failed to get a shot off.

In the second overtime, USD went up, 81-79, with 35 seconds left, then scored the final five points on a free throw by Angie Straub, a fast-break layup by Christi English and two free throws by Lynda Jones.

Jones led the Toreras with 21 points and 14 rebounds. Enger, who fouled out in the second overtime, added 18 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks and English 13 points and eight rebounds.

Bordt, a native of Finland who leads the WCC in scoring (20.8) and assists (9.3), had 22 points and 13 assists, but made only 1 of 13 three-point attempts and six of 25 shots overall.

Cheree Tappin, who is fifth in the WCC in scoring (16.9), had 21 points and eight rebounds before fouling out near the end of the first overtime.

St. Mary’s fell to 13-4, 2-1.