MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's Men's Basketball returned home to University Credit Union Pavilion on Saturday evening for a contest against the Loyola Marymount Lions. Things have gone well when the Gaels play at home this season, and part of that comes from what their offense delivers. That offense continued to be efficient and sharp down the stretch, as the Gaels maintained a lead against the Lions that they would not relinquish, taking down LMU 71-60. The Gaels have won seven-straight, their longest winning streak of the season, to improve to 19-4 (7-1), while the Lions drop to 9-12 (2-7).
 
SHARP SHOOTING
The Saint Mary's offense scored 71 points on Saturday night, which isn't an eye-popping total, but they were efficient when they held it. The Gaels shot 47.7% on the night, and continued strong shooting from beyond the arc, going 11-22. Over the last two games, Saint Mary's has made 23 threes, their best stretch of the season from distance. Kyle Bowen was dangerous in his five attempts, knocking down four (a career-best), while Logan Johnson added a pair of threes. For Bowen, it was part of a 12-point night and the third time this season he has recorded at least 12 points and eight rebounds in a game. Johnson finished tied for second on the Gaels with 14 points.
 
THE SHARPEST SHOOTING
As great as Bowen and Johnson were, no Gael shined brighter on Saturday night than Alex Ducas. The Geraldton, Australia native made five three-pointers, and all six of his free throws, to finish the game with 25 points. That ties a career-best for Ducas, who also scored 25 points in a game against South Dakota State last season. He was dangerous in both halves, doing it in different ways. All six of his free throws came in the first half, and three of treys came after halftime. Ducas has now eclipsed the 20-point mark three times on the season.
 
KEEP STREAKING
Saint Mary's kept a few important streaks alive on Saturday night. For starters, they won their seventh game in a row, their longest streak of the year. They also remain unbeaten at home, now standing at 12-0, and improving their home winning streak to 14 games, which is the seventh-longest in SMC history. More history was made against LMU as the Gaels made 18 free throws without a miss, the most made in a game without a miss in Saint Mary's history. Previously, the record came against these very Lions on February 20, 2020, as the Gaels were 16-16 in that game. Finally, the Gaels improved to 19-0 when scoring at least 60 points in a game.
 
MORE NUMBERS!
After going 18-18 from the free throw line, they made 13 more free throws than LMU…both teams combined for just 13 bench points…a rarity for SMC, they were outscored in the paint by the Lions 34-16…two-thirds of the shots made by the Gaels (14 of 21) had an assist, with Johnson pacing the Gaels with five and Tommy Kuhse adding four…Matthias Tass was quiet and still scored 14 points in the game, adding five rebounds and three assists…despite allowing a double-double to Eli Scott (17 points, 11 rebounds), the Gaels forced the Lions best player into six turnovers.  
UP NEXT
Things pick up for Saint Mary's beginning this upcoming week, as the Gaels will have three games. On Tuesday night, the Gaels will head to Santa Clara for a rescheduled game that was originally set to take place on January 6. That game against the Broncos tips off at 8:00 pm on ESPNU, with the Gaels looking for the season-sweep of their Bay Area rivals. Following that game, Saint Mary's will come home to play San Diego for the first time this season on Thursday night, and then head to No. 2 Gonzaga on Saturday night.
 
#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