MALIBU and MORAGA, Calif. — With the first game of the West Coast Conference season under their belts, Saint Mary's Men's Basketball looks to snag their first conference win of the 2021-22 season this week. The Gaels will play twice, with their first game coming on the road at Pepperdine on Thursday night and at home against Pacific on Saturday afternoon.
 
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels (12-4, 0-1) at Pepperdine Waves (6-11, 0-2)
Thursday, January 13 at 8:00 pm PT
Firestone Fieldhouse – Malibu, Calif.
Television: NBC Sports Bay Area (Ted Robinson, Mike Montgomery)
Live Audio: The Varsity Network (Alex Jensen)
Watch | Listen | Live Stats
All-Time Head-to-Head Record: 74-74, last meeting on 2/22/21, Gaels 66, Pepperdine 61
 
Saint Mary's Gaels vs. Pacific Tigers (5-10, 0-1)
Saturday, January 15 at 4:30 pm
University Credit Union Pavilion – Moraga, Calif.
Television: NBC Sports California
Live Audio: The Varsity Network (Alex Jensen, Dave Lewis)
Watch | Listen | Live Stats | Get Tickets
All-Time Head-to-Head Record: 80-44, last meeting on 2/25/21, Gaels 58, Pacific 46
 
LAST TIME OUT
Saint Mary's began West Coast Conference play on Saturday night, returning after a 10-day hiatus to take on BYU at their place. The Gaels scored the first seven points of the game but struggled to replicate that offense the rest of night, eventually falling to the Cougars in a 52-43 final. Saint Mary's trailed by 12 at the half, and cut it down to as close as seven points in the second half, but could not pull any closer. The Gaels defense held BYU to just 1-13 from beyond the arc, and under 40% shooting. For the game.
 
MORE TALK ABOUT TASS
Tass was a standout on the court for Saint Mary's despite their loss in their first WCC game of the year. Tass recorded his first collegiate double-double by scoring 13 points and grabbing 15 rebounds, representing a career-best in boards. Eight of his 15 rebounds came on the offensive glass, and he also added four assists with three blocks. His 15 rebounds are the most by a Gael since Jordan Hunter grabbed 15 in the WCC Championship game against Gonzaga on March 12, 2019, and it is the first Gaels double-double since Tommy Kuhse in the NIT last March.
 
GAEL FAN FEST
With the women's basketball team playing Pepperdine at noon on Saturday before the men play, the alumni association will be hosting "Gael Fan Fest" on Saturday beginning at 11:00 am. Located at the Pavilion Plaza, just in front of University Credit Union Pavilion, a DJ and a bounce house will join 4^th Bore and Sodexo with concessions. "Gael Fan Fest" will conclude at 4:30, when tip-off of the men's game is slated.
 
ABOUT PEPPERDINE
This Pepperdine Waves team is different than ones of recent years. With no Colbey Ross or Kessler Edwards, the Waves have not had the same kind of consistent star-power that put them in the upper-half of the WCC. Jan Zidek and Houston Mallette are the lone players averaging above 10 points per game, but this team only shoots 41.4% from the floor. The only common the Waves have with SMC is Oregon, who beat Pepperdine 68-59 on December 21. Pepperdine began conference play with losses to No. 4 Gonzaga (117-83) and San Diego (72-62).
 
ABOUT PACIFIC
Saturday will be the lone matchup between Saint Mary's and Pacific this season, and it comes as the Gaels first home game since December 28. The Tigers have just five wins entering this week, including one over DII Stanislaus State on November 16 and UC Santa Barbara on December 14. The Tigers have lost four in a row (which could turn into five after they play Santa Clara on Wednesday night), and three-point defense could play a factor. The Tigers are allowing teams to shoot 37.6% from beyond the arc, and 43% of opponents shot attempts have come from distance.
 
DIGITAL GAMEDAY PROGRAM
All Saint Mary's Men's Basketball gameday programs will be virtual during the 2021-22 season, and the fourth edition can be found HERE. In it, fans will find a recap of non-conference play for the Gaels, as well information on the first West Coast Conference games of the 2022 portion of the season.
 
2021-22 YEARBOOK
The 2021-22 Saint Mary's Basketball Yearbook is available HERE. This contains all of your information on both Saint Mary's basketball programs, coach and player profiles, as well as Saint Mary's, administration, and fan information.
 
#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