Saint Mary’s women’s basketball 2024-25 preview: What to know about Gaels

The Gaels are coming off a 2023-24 campaign in which they finished 18-11 overall and 12-4 in the WCC, good for third place.

They return three starters from that team, including All-WCC selection Taycee Wedin. The 6-foot-2 forward averaged 14.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game last season and will be a key piece for the Gaels this year.

Also back are guards Madeline Holland and Ali Bamberger. Holland averaged 12.9 points per game last season, while Bamberger averaged 10.2 points per game.

The Gaels also welcome a talented recruiting class that includes 6-foot-3 center Imani Littleton, who was a four-star recruit out of high school.

With a strong returning core and a talented recruiting class, the Gaels are poised to make a run at the WCC title this season.

Here are three things to know about the Gaels in 2024-25:

They have a strong returning core. Wedin, Holland, and Bamberger are all proven players who will be key contributors for the Gaels this season.
They have a talented recruiting class. Littleton is a highly touted recruit who could make an immediate impact for the Gaels.
They have a new head coach. Paul Thomas was hired as the Gaels' head coach in March 2023. He previously served as an assistant coach at Stanford and has a strong track record of success.

The Gaels open their season on Nov. 7 against the Portland Pilots. They will play their first home game on Nov. 11 against the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners.