MORAGA, Calif. —  After not trailing since their last meeting with LMU (10-11, 3-4 WCC), the Saint Mary's Gaels (16-6, 7-0 WCC) found themselves locked in a tight battle with the Lions, but were able to play smart, effective basketball down the stretch to earn the win, 70-65. With 3:30 remaining in this one, the two teams were locked in a 55-all stalemate, but the Gaels valued every possession, and were able to regain the lead and maintain it through the final buzzer. Despite them being their two closest contests in WCC play this season, the Gaels completed the regular season sweep of the Lions.

As expected, the Lions hung tough with the Gaels in the first half, not allowing Saint Mary's to take a lead larger than seven points, and even taking a lead of their own early on at 10-9. In fact, LMU outshot the Gaels 46% to 37% in the first half, but a combination of pestering, turnover-forcing defense and ferocious offensive rebounding allowed the Gaels to control the first half. After being held below 10 points in each of his last four games, Augustas Marciulionis scored 11 points in the first half tonight, to go along with three assists, while Alex Ducas scored nine and ripped down three rebounds. Harry Wessels led the Gaels on the rebounding front with four.

Both squads showed offensive improvements in the second half. At the 13:49 mark, the Lions took their first lead of the second half at 37-36, and the two teams traded buckets to bring the score to 41-40 in favor of LMU with 12:06 to go. The Gaels would respond with a 9-0 run, only to be answered by a 9-0 response for the Lions, to push them right back ahead at 50-49 just inside the seven minute mark. Unfazed, the Gaels continued their brand of precise, purposeful offense and stifling defense, taking the lead on a Joshua Jefferson triple with 3:19 to go, and holding the lead to close out the game. Marciulionis continued to dazzle in the second half, with 14 more points and four more assists. Joshua Jefferson and Aidan Mahaney each added nine second half points, the latter doing so after being held scoreless in the first half. Mitchell Saxen reeled in five massive second half rebounds, limiting the Lions second chance opportunities. 

Playing the entire 40 minutes, Augustas Marciulionis was the firecracker offensively for the Gaels, slicing and dicing his way to a career-high 25 points. Marciulionis also added a team-high seven assists to just one turnover. Joshua Jeffereson added 15 points including a pair of timely threes, while Alex Ducas continued his recent hot-streak from deep, knocking down three threes en route to 11 points. Mitchell Saxen continued to play like his usual, bruiser-like self, with eight points, six boards and a block. 

THE TALE OF THE GOOSE AND THE LIONS
Augustas Marciulionis set a new career-high with 25 points tonight. His previous career-high was also against the Lions in Los Angeles three weeks ago, when he scored 22. In both of these contests, Marciulionis was a thorn in the sides of the Lions interior defenders, scoring 12 of his 22 in LA and 16 of his 25 in Moraga in the painted area, and added nine points in each of those outings at the charity stripe. Tonight, Marciulionis took his game to the next level against LMU, adding seven assists to just one turnover. It was a good sign to see Marciulionis scoring in bunches tonight, as he had not registered a double-figure scoring contest since the last matchup with LMU. 

KEEPING THE BALL SAFE 
For the second time in as many matchups, the Gaels turned the ball over a season-low four times against the Lions. It's the eighth time this season that the Gaels have turned the ball over less than 10 times this season, holding a 7-1 record in those occurrences. Augustas Marciulionis and Aidan Mahaney, the Gaels two primary ball handlers, combined to turn the ball over just once in this one. Meanwhile, defensively, the Gaels forced 12 turnovers, turning those into 14 points, a major factor in the ultimate outcome in this one. 

STANDING TALL IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY
After winning four straight by 17 or more points, the Gaels proved that they can win the tight contests as well. This matchup had six ties and 13 lead changes, with the Gaels never leading by more than eight and trailing with less than five minutes to go. Saint Mary's was out-shot and out-rebounded by LMU, but didn't panic, played their brand of basketball, and walked away with their 13th victory over their last 14 contests. Although the Gaels have not had to play many tight contests lately, they proved tonight that they are ready to battle game in and game out. 

UP NEXT
The Gaels will have a quick turnaround, hosting Santa Clara on Wednesday, 1/31. Tip-off is set for 8 PM. 

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

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