Jan. 21, 2007

Box Score

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Omar Samhan scored five of his team-high 19 points in overtime as Saint Mary's logged its second straight victory over a West Coast Conference rival, defeating San Francisco 71-64 Saturday.

The Gaels (11-9, 3-1) won their third straight conference game and recorded their first road victory of the season. On Monday, they defeated Gonzaga.

San Francisco (7-12, 3-1) saw its three-game win streak snapped in its third overtime game in four conference games.

Saint Mary's, which did not get its first lead until a Diamon Simpson three-point play early in the second half, never trailed in overtime after regulation ended 58-58.

Simpson scored the first basket of the overtime session before fouling out. He finished with 15 points.

Antonio Surratt, fouled by Simpson, hit the first of two free throws and missed the second. Brett Collins grabbed a loose ball in the ensuing scramble and made a length-of-the-court pass to Samhan for a lay-up.

After Allan Wiggins, who had a career-high 25, scored, Samhan converted a three-point play to put Saint Mary's ahead 65-61.

USF had two straight turnovers, including a shot clock violation before Ian O'Leary iced the game for Saint Mary's by banking in a basket with 59 seconds to play.

Samhan, a freshman who originally signed with San Francisco, matched his career best with 10 rebounds for the second double-double of his career. O'Leary had 11 and Todd Golden 10 for Saint Mary's.

Saint Mary's returns to West Coast Conference action at San Diego on Monday night. The Gaels will tip-off against the Toreros at 8:05 p.m. from the Jenny Craig Pavilion. The game can be seen on ESPNU.