MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's (9-3, 0-1 WCC) battled all night long with Santa Clara (7-2, 1-0 WCC) inside UCU Pavilion but the Broncos ended up getting the last laugh in a 66-64 nail biter affair. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Logan Johnson set a career-high in points with 26 and also had four rebounds in the game. It was the third time this year the junior has scored double-digit points after posting 15 against South Dakota State and San Diego State. 

Tommy Kuhse also helped pace the offense with 12 points and four assists. Matthias Tass just missed his first double-double of the season with nine points and 11 boards. 

Saint Mary's looked to be in the driver's seat after Tass threw down a momentous dunk with 22 seconds on the clock to put the Gaels up two but SCU's Keshawn Justice immediately replied with a trey on the other end to give his team the lead, 65-64. Justice led Santa Clara with 23 points in the game. 

On the Gaels' next possession, Kuhse was blocked in the paint and the Broncos recovered the ball to seal the win. Dating back to 2010, Saint Mary's is now 20-4 against the Broncos with all four losses coming by two or fewer points. 

The entire game went back and forth with 11 lead changes and nearly 10 minutes played with a tied score. Each team led for at least 13 minutes in the contest and neither team ever pulled away by more than three possessions. 

Saint Mary's offense couldn't get rolling at any point and the team finished the game shooting 39 percent overall. Johnson was by far the team's most efficient shooter as he made nine of his 14 attempts. 

Justice hit a buzzer beater layup at the end of the first half to give the Broncos a 31-30 advantage into halftime. Johnson and Kuhse each had eight points in the half to lead SMC but the Gaels shot just 36 percent overall in the period. 

NUMBERS TO KNOW
8: The Gaels had eight steals in the game. 
6: Santa Clara posted six blocks in the win. 
35: Saint Mary's outrebounded the Broncos, 35-30. 
40: Kuhse played all 40 minutes in the loss. 

UP NEXT: BYU
The Gaels remain at home for their next contest against BYU. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. and will be broadcasted on ESPN2. 

Saint Mary's is hosting a virtual sellout for that game and the following contest against No. 1 Gonzaga and fans can learn more about the event here.