MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's (7-1) roared back in the second half against Eastern Washington (1-4) and overcame a 9-point deficit on the back of Tommy Kuhse's career-night for an 80-75 win. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Tommy Kuhse posted a new career-high in points just two games after setting it against UTEP. The Mesa, Ariz. native scored 34 points, shattering his old record of 24, while going 14-of-23 from the field. Not only did he score nearly half of the Gaels' points, he also had a team-best six assists and co-led with seven rebounds. 

One of the redshirt senior's biggest buckets came with just over a minute to play as he drove the lane and hit a lefty jumper to put the Gaels up by two possessions, 79-75. The jumper ended a momentous 5-0 run by the Eagles and proved to be the final make of the game.

While EWU shot 45 percent on the night, Saint Mary's defense stepped up when the team needed it the most and held the Eagles to 1-of-7 shooting to finish the contest. SMC also had four steals and four blocks in the final 20 minutes to help preserve the win. 

With 6:44 to play, Mitchell Saxen gave the Gaels their first lead of the game since 7:19 in the first half with a layup through traffic. After EWU retook the lead with a pair of free throws on the next possession, Alex Ducas hit a critical corner three to put Saint Mary's back on top. SMC would hold that lead for the rest of the contest. 

Kyle Bowen added 10 points, all in the first half, in addition to seven rebounds while Matthias Tass also scored 10 and had four blocks. Logan Johnson posted nine points in his second game back from injury and Ducas hit two treys en route to an 8-point showing. 

Bowen helped the Gaels stay neck and neck with the Eagles halfway through the first half with eight straight points for SMC, however Eastern Washington led by three heading into halftime, 40-37. 

The Eagles led for nearly the entire first half but never had a run longer than five points in the game. Tyler Robertson led the team with 17 points. 

NUMBERS TO KNOW
11: There were 11 lead changes in the contest, most occurring late in the second half. 
4: The Gaels went 4-of-10 from beyond the arc in the second half. 
40: Kuhse played all 40 minutes in the win. 
8: Saint Mary's committed only eight turnovers on the night. 
9: The Gaels led for fewer than nine minutes in the contest (8:41)

UP NEXT: COLORADO STATE
Saint Mary's rounds out their seven-game home stand by taking on Colorado State on Saturday at 5 p.m. The game can be watched live on the WCC Network.