MORAGA, Calif. — The Gaels (9-6) final non-conference regular season matchup of the year featured the midwest mid-major powerhouse Kent State Golden Flashes (7-5) in a Friday night clash. The Golden Flashes hung around with the Gaels for the first 12 minutes of the contest, but an offensive surge in the final eight minutes of the first half propelled the Gaels to a 20 point lead that would be enough for them to cruise to victory, 66-46. The win brings the Gaels non-conference record to 9-6 heading into WCC play next week. 

Saint Mary's opened the game a perfect 8-8 from shots inside the arc, but 0-5 from beyond the arc, as they found themselves knotted up at 16 at the eight minute mark. The three point drought ended when Alex Ducas connected on a triple and the flood gates opened for the Gaels, closing out the half on a 23-3 run to take a 20 point lead into the halftime break. Joshua Jefferson and Luke Barrett each reached double figures in the first half, scoring 10 apiece, while Augustas Marciulionis dished out six assists. 

Alex Ducas drained a jumper in the first 75 seconds of the second half to move to double figures for the night, and the Gaels were off and running again in half number two, as Kent State never got closer than within 15 points. Luke Barrett continued his hot play into the second half, not missing from the field or from the free throw line, for another nine points, while Alex Ducas ripped down eight second half boards.

Luke Barrett finished his night with a career-high 19 points on 7-9 shooting from the field. Mitchell Saxen chipped in 11 points, while Joshua Jefferson added 10. Alex Ducas picked up his first career double-double, scoring 10 points and bringing down a career-high 12 rebounds, while Augustas Marciulionis went for eight points and seven assists. 

THEY CAN'T WIN IF THEY CAN'T SCORE
For the sixth time this season, the Gaels held an opponent below 60 points in a game, bringing their record to 6-0 in these instances. The Gaels shut down a potent Kent State offense that entered the matchup averaging 83 points per game, shooting 46.3% from the field. Against Saint Mary's, the Golden Flashes were limited to just a 30.4% field goal clip. On the season, Saint Mary's is now holding opponents to 58.5 points per game. The program record for fewest points per game allowed in a season is 55.1 points per game, back in the 1948-49 season.

AN UNLIKELY SOURCE
Luke Barrett has consistently been one of the Gaels top options off the bench this season. A seasoned defender and tenacious rebounder from the wing, Barrett is a coach's dream off the bench. That said, Barrett has not been much of a scoring threat this season. That changed tonight, as the redshirt junior dropped a career-high 19 points on 7-9 shooting. Barrett's previous high of 15 came against Division II Academy of Art last season. It was his third career double digit scoring contest. 

A FIRST FOR DUCAS?
In his fifth season of basketball with the Gaels, there are not many more firsts for Alex Ducas to reach, but tonight, the 6-7 wing picked up his first career double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Prior to tonight's game, the closest Ducas had been to a double double came back in the 2020-21 COVID season, when he went for nine points and 10 rebounds against Northern Iowa. A big reason why Ducas was able to put up lofty rebounding numbers was the fact that he spent a chunk of the game playing the four against the smaller Kent State squad. If Ducas can add high level rebounding to his already strong scoring prowess, he will be a force to reckon with for any team in the WCC and NCAA.

UP NEXT
The Gaels will open conference play on the road on January 4 against San Diego. Tip off is set for 8 PM. 

DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME MEN'S BASKETBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE ON SALE HERE. 

#GaelsRise