MBK | Jackson Sparks Gaels As SMC Opens Conference Play With Win
12/27/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MORAGA, Calif. -- The scoresheet will say Garrett Jackson's career-high 18 points is reason enough to consider him one of the stars in Saint Mary's 73-60 win over Santa Clara to open West Coast Conference play.
But, that same piece of paper brings forward Jackson's value in more than just his total number of points. Matched up with Santa Clara's star guard Jared Brownridge for much of the time he was on the court, Jackson helped hold the Broncos' key man to just seven points on 2 of 12 shooting.
Garrett gave us a great lift today," Saint Mary's coach Randy Bennett said. "That was the best game he's played here. I told him that at half and he came back and did it in the second. Obviously he scored but I thought he did a really good job defensively guarding Brownridge. So did Desmond (Simmons)."
Jackson's versatility has long been an asset for the Gaels, and Saturday's win brought his talents the the forefront before a nearly packed McKeon Pavilion. He went 8 for 12 from the floor, grabbed a pair of rebounds and showed the ability to guard several different players, shifting from tall to small whenever he was asked.
"We've got great guys and great coaches," Jackson said. "I like being around my team so even when personal things aren't going the way you envisioned it, I'm still excited to come to practice and be around the guys and give whatever I can give to help the team win."
That ability to shift assignments also resulted in Saint Mary's being able to field a lineup that it hadn't used much yet this year. With Jackson playing the small forward spot, Simmons and Dane Pineau were able to stay on the court and help center Brad Waldow down low. Together with Kerry Carter's ability to hit the glass, that group proved tough for Santa Clara to handle in the key.
"Garrett is one of the most talented forwards I've ever seen but he just has to keep chipping away at it," Carter said. "For Garrett, it's more opportunity than anything and staying with it. He's going to have days where it really pays off."
Jackson and the Gaels will get another chance to show their versatility on Monday when preseason all-WCC forward Kruize Pinkins and San Francisco come to town. That game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. tip and will be televised live on ESPNU.
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