SAN FRANCISCO (Interstat) — A pivotal West Coast Conference women’s basketball matchup is set for Saturday when the San Francisco Dons host the Saint Mary’s Gaels at War Memorial Gymnasium.

Both teams enter the 2 p.m. contest looking to solidify their positioning in the conference standings. San Francisco (14-9 overall) holds a slight edge in the win column over Saint Mary’s (13-11). The Dons are coming off a 76-67 road victory at Seattle on Thursday, powered by a 24-point performance from standout forward Candy Edokpaigbe. The junior has been on a tear, scoring 20 or more points in four of her last six games, establishing herself as a consistent offensive force for the Dons.

The Gaels aim to bounce back from a 75-69 home loss to Loyola Marymount on the same night. Their success often runs through guard Abigail Shoff, who led the team with 18 points in that defeat. Shoff has been a bright spot, averaging 14.5 points over her last six contests. Supporting her will be key contributors like Malia Latu, who dished out five assists against LMU, and Charlece Ohiaeri, who added 11 points off the bench.

Recent trends show two teams heading in opposite directions. While San Francisco has won three of its last five, Saint Mary’s has dropped four of its last five, including a 68-42 road loss at Portland on Jan. 29. The Gaels will need to improve their offensive consistency after being held under 65 points in four of those five games.

Defensively, containing Edokpaigbe will be Saint Mary’s primary challenge, while the Dons must account for Shoff’s scoring ability from the perimeter. The game also marks the first of a home-and-home series between the rivals this month, with the rematch scheduled for Feb. 21 in Moraga.

Saturday’s result could prove crucial for momentum as the conference schedule enters its final stretch.