MORAGA, Calif. — A battle of WCC unbeatens is what's on top for Saturday night, as the Gaels (13-6, 4-0 WCC) head to War Memorial at the Sobrato Center to do battle with the San Francisco Dons (15-4, 4-0 WCC). Currently tied atop the WCC standings, this is the most highly anticipated Gaels-Dons matchup since their February 17, 2022 matchup, when both teams saw themselves earning recognition in the AP Poll. The Gaels would best the Dons in that one 69-64.
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels at San Francisco Dons
Saturday, January 20 at 7:00 PM
War Memorial at the Sobrato Center
Watch* |
Listen |
Live Stats
*This game can only be watched with a cable subscription on CBS Sports Network
WHAT A START…AGAIN!
The Gaels are off to a 4-0 start in conference play for the second consecutive season. Saint Mary's opened up conference play on the road with a pair of tightly contested victories over San Diego (81-70) and LMU (68-64), before blowing out Portland (95-52) and Santa Clara (73-49) this past week. The last time the Gaels opened up conference play 4-0 in consecutive seasons were the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons, when the Gaels won a combined 59 games, the most ever in a two year stretch.
MAHANEY OWNS THE WCC
Since the start of WCC play, Aidan Mahaney buckets have come at a fast and furious pace, as the sophomore continues to lead the Gaels in scoring. In his first four games in conference play this season, the sophomore is averaging 20.5 points per game, and has twice tied his career-high scoring output of 25 points in a game. Over this stretch, he's shot 52.8% from the field, 55.2% from three, and is also averaging three assists per game. Aidan continues to prove why he was the talk of the WCC at the start of the season.
ABOUT THE DONS
As hot as the Gaels have been of late, so too have the Dons, who currently sit at 15-4 and, like the Gaels, are unbeaten in their first four WCC contests. In just his second season at the helm, Head Coach Chris Gerlufson, has already matched the Dons best start in the last five years. After losing his top three leading scorers from a season ago, Coach Gerlufson has retooled via the portal to build one of the most dangerous teams in the conference. Jonathan Mogbo has been the early star for the Dons. The Missouri State transfer leads the Dons in scoring (15.6 PPG), rebounding (10.7 RPG, leads the WCC), steals (35, leads the WCC) and field goal percentage (68.3%, leads the WCC), while ranking second on the squad with 64 assists. Point guard Marcus Williams transferred in from Texas A&M last season, and, after coming off the bench behind Khalil Shabazz last year, is now leading his team with 70 assists to go along with 14.5 points per game. Rounding out the Dons "big three" is USC transfer Malik Thomas, who shoots 53.4% from the field and is averaging 11.4 points per game. San Francisco ranks in the top-10 in the nation in field goal percentage (50.4%), scoring defense (62.3 PPG) and scoring margin (+17.7), proving they are a juggernaut both offensively and defensively. Like the Gaels, the Dons have lost to Boise State, and have defeated San Diego, Portland and LMU. The Dons lead the all-time series 101-88, however, the Gaels have won each of their last eight meetings dating back to the 2018-19 season.
DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME MEN'S BASKETBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE ON SALE HERE.
#GaelsRise
