MORAGA, Calif. — After splitting a true road trip last weekend, Saint Mary's enjoyed a week off and a much-needed return to University Credit Union Pavilion on Saturday afternoon. With an earlier tip-off against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, the Gaels found their rhythm early and often in a 80-59 victory over the Gauchos. With the win, Saint Mary's improves to 9-2 while dropping UC Santa Barbara to 5-3.
 
STARTING OUT FRONT
So often this season, Saint Mary's has struggled to score early in games, leading to some tight contests going into the half. That was not the case on Saturday afternoon, with Saint Mary's playing one of their best first halves of the year. SMC shot the ball at a 50% clip (15-30) in the first half, including 6-12 from distance. Conversely, the Gaels held UC Santa Barbara to just 8-25 and one made three-pointer. This led to the Gaels leading for 18:38 in the first half, one of their best marks of the season.
 
RETURN OF THE RAIN
The weather system expected to hit the Bay Area over the next few days came early inside University Credit Union Pavilion as the Gaels were knocking down threes on a regular basis in the first half. Six three-pointers were sunk, including a pair from Alex Ducas and Kyle Bowen. The first triple from Bowen came just 2:30 into the game, and lasted all the way until the final possessions of the half, where SMC hit back-to-back threes from Augustas Marciulionis and Bowen on their final full possessions of the half. The Gaels didn't need to hit too many threes in the second half, but finished the game with 8 on 17 attempts.
 
TASSING IT AROUND
Saturday afternoon was another in a strong line of performances from Matthias Tass, who has steadily gotten better as the season improves. Against the Gauchos, Tass finished with 22 points on 10-11 from the floor, the fourth-straight game he has put up at least 10 points. His 22 points is the second-best he has recorded this season, and is just three shy of his career-best. The all-around effort from Tass was on display on the defensive side as well, with four rebounds and two blocks added to his credit. During his last four games, Tass is averaging 15 points per game, the best four-game stretch of his career.
 
OTHER HELPFUL NUMBERS
Saint Mary's improved to 53-5 since the 2018-19 season when recorded at least 10 assists in a game…in the first half alone, SMC had 13 assists on 16 baskets, finishing with 20 on 31 shots (their second-most of the year)… by beating the Gauchos on Saturday, Saint Mary's has now won 21-straight home games in non-conference play…seven Gaels had at least three rebounds, led by five from Dan Fotu and Bowen…Saint Mary's forced 15 turnovers, tied for the most they've forced all season (three other times).
 
UP NEXT
The Gaels stay at home inside University Credit Union Pavilion on Tuesday against Stanislaus State. The game versus the Warriors will be free for all fans to attend, with free parking and a free game ticket. Donations day of the game will be encouraged to benefit a community service project with Grateful Gatherings. Grateful Gatherings provides furniture and household items to people transitioning from homelessness. In the spring, Saint Mary's staff and student-athletes will be renovating a home by providing furniture and household items for a designated family by Grateful Gatherings. Grateful Gatherings is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible. 
 
#GaelsRise — 2021-22 tickets and ticket packages are on sale now! To purchase tickets, click HERE. If you have questions, contact the ticket office by email smctickets@stmarys-ca.edu or call 925-631-4689…Saint Mary's Basketball…#TogetherAgain