SAN DIEGO (Interstat) — The Saint Mary’s Gaels built a commanding lead through three quarters and withstood a frantic fourth-quarter rally by the San Diego Toreros to secure a 57-49 victory in a West Coast Conference women’s basketball game Sunday at Jenny Craig Pavilion.

Saint Mary’s (10-7, 1-1 WCC) appeared to be cruising toward a comfortable win, leading by as many as 22 points late in the third quarter before San Diego’s offense finally ignited. The Gaels’ defense set the tone early, holding the Toreros to just 19 points through the first 30 minutes of play. San Diego (6-11, 0-2) scored more in the fourth quarter alone, 22 points, than it did in the entire first half, but the early deficit proved too large to overcome.

The game’s most critical phase was Saint Mary’s dominant first-half performance, which established a margin that ultimately decided the contest. The Gaels opened the game on a 7-0 run and led 16-8 after the first quarter. They extended that lead to 34-19 by halftime, capitalizing on San Diego’s profound offensive struggles. The Toreros shot a frigid 3 for 24 from three-point range for the game and managed an offensive rating of just 72.3 points per 100 possessions. Saint Mary’s, while not efficient itself with an 84.8 offensive rating, did enough by converting San Diego’s 17 turnovers into 16 points and hitting 10 of 11 free throws.

San Diego’s comeback attempt in the final period was fueled by guard Kylie Ray and forward Eva Ruse. Ray finished with a game-high 17 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Ruse recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Toreros used a 13-2 run to cut the Gael lead to 42-38 with 4:40 remaining, applying full-court pressure that forced several Saint Mary’s turnovers.

The Gaels, however, found timely answers to halt the surge. After San Diego closed within four, Saint Mary’s forward Abigail Shoff of Redding, California, hit a crucial three-pointer off an assist from Addi Wedin to push the lead back to seven with 3:12 to play. Wedin, from Happy Valley, Oregon, then sealed the game at the free-throw line, making five of six attempts in the final 31 seconds to finish with 10 points. Emily Foy of Newcastle, Australia, also scored 10 for the Gaels.

Saint Mary’s balanced effort, which included 10 steals and a 40-33 rebounding edge, helped snap a two-game losing streak. The Gaels had dropped their WCC opener at Pepperdine on Friday. San Diego, which lost at home to San Francisco on Friday, has now lost three straight games.

The announced attendance was 349. Saint Mary’s next plays at Pacific on Thursday. San Diego travels to face Seattle on Thursday.