Feb. 19, 2005

Box Score

MORAGA, Calif. (AP) - Paul Marigney had a season-high 32 points in leading Saint Mary's College to an 81-69 West Coast Conference basketball victory over Pepperdine on Saturday night.

Marigney put Saint Mary's ahead for good 56-55 with a 3-pointer with 9:02 to play. He added two more free throws to build the lead to three as the Gaels went on a 14-4 run to break open the game.

The victory improved the Gaels' record to 22-7, 9-3 in conference, but was significant because it was Saint Mary's 20th Division 1 victory of the year.

The Gaels, playing their final home game of the season, wound up 15-1 at home - the best home record and most home wins in Saint Mary's history.

Marigney hit 10 of 16 shots, including 5-of-9 from 3-point range, and hit all seven of his free throw attempts.

Yakhouba Diawara led Pepperdine (15-13, 5-8) with 23 points but was held to only two in the final 12 minutes.

Glen McGowan chipped in 18.

Diawara hit a pair of 3-pointers near the end of the first half, including a buzzer-beater and put Pepperdine ahead 47-46 with a 3-pointer and followed with another basket before Saint Mary's stepped up its defensive pressure on him.

Daniel Kickert had 21, including three second-half 3-pointers.

Jonathan Sanders added 11 for Saint Mary's, which hit 53.8 percent from the floor in the second half and sank 18 of 21 free throws, including 11 of their final 12.