San Diego Topples St. Mary’s

Eighth-seeded San Diego ended a 10-game losing streak with an 87-81 double-overtime victory over fifth-seeded Saint Mary’s on Thursday in the first round of the West Coast Conference women’s basketball tournament at Santa Clara.

The Toreros (8-21) became the first eighth-seeded team to win a game in the conference tournament, and their 87 points tied a tournament record, previously accomplished in 1993 and 2002 by Santa Clara.

It also was the first two-overtime game in tournament history.

Lindsay Helvey had six three-point baskets and scored 28 points for San Diego. Tiarra Harris scored 24, and Marta Menuez had 21.

Evynn Van Burger had 24 points for the Gaels (15-15).

The Toreros will play fourth-seeded Portland (13-14) in a quarterfinal today at noon.

Santa Clara 71, San Francisco 66 -- Jennie Rondel scored 22 points as the sixth-seeded Broncos (10-19) advanced to the quarterfinals.

Santa Clara shot 73.9% in the first half and a tournament-record 61.4% for the game, breaking the previous mark of 57.4% set by Pepperdine in 1995.

Joy Hollingsworth of seventh-seeded San Francisco (10-19) scored a game-high 26 points.

Santa Clara will play third-seeded Pepperdine today at approximately 2:30 p.m.