Monday, November 4
Moraga, CA
7:00 PM
Saint Mary's College of California
76
vs
69
Towson
Paulius Murauskas: 14 Pts, 13 Reb, First Collegiate Double-Double
Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
MBB | Well Balanced Attack Results in 76-69 Victory Over Towson
11/4/2024 11:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MORAGA, Calif. — Heading into the start of the 2024-25 Saint Mary's Men's Basketball campaign, many fans wondered, "Who will be the go-to guy for this year's Gaels?" One game in, and that question still remains unanswered, as six different Gaels scored between 10 and 14 points, as Saint Mary's used their well-balanced attack to best the Towson Tigers, 76-69. This marks the fourth straight year that the Gaels have won their season opener. Head Coach Randy Bennett improved his record in season openers to 22-2 in year 24 at the helm.
The Towson Tigers threw the first blow in this one, building an early 7-1 lead in the first 90 seconds of this one. The Gaels responded with a 10-0 run for their own, with all 10 points coming in the paint. Saint Mary's would not relinquish that lead for the remainder of the half, and would extend to as large as 13 points with 3:30 remaining in the frame. The Tigers would finish out the half with a little bit of momentum, bringing the deficit to just nine at the halftime break at 37-28. Familiar faces to Gaels fans, Jordan Ross and Luke Barrett each scored eight to pace SMC, while newcomer Paulius Murauskas ripped down seven first half boards. Saint Mary's shot 54% from the field in the opening stanza, including an impressive 71% in the paint, leading to 20 of their 37 points being scored from within the key.
The Gaels extended their lead out to 15 when Mitchell Saxen, parked down low in the post, found an open Augustas Marciulionis who buried a shot from the perimeter six minutes into the frame, pushing the Gaels ahead 51-36. The Tigers came roaring back, however, as over the next 90 seconds, Saxen and Paulius Murauskas each picked up their fourth fouls. Towson would close the gap a bit on a 5-0 run, but a pair of layups by Harry Wessels and Mikey Lewis, plus an Augustas Marciulionis free throw extended the lead right back to 15. The Tiger kept the pressure on the Gaels, however, cutting the deficit three times to six, and once to four, but the early deficit was too much to overcome, as Saint Mary's knocked down three of four free throws late to ice the game. Paulius Murauskas continued his ferocious rebounding, with six more second half boards, while adding 10 points, playing the entire half. Augustas Marciulionis and Luke Barrett also played the entire 20 minutes of the second half, with Barrett adding six more points, and Marciulionis assisting on five buckets to go along with four points of his own. While the Gaels were outscored in the second half, their tremendous rebounding and strong free throw shooting helped them close the game out.
As mentioned earlier, six different Gaels scored in double figures, including a trio, Luke Barrett, Paulius Murauskas and Jordan Ross, who all scored 14. Murauskas and Barrett added 13 and 11 rebounds respectively, each recording their first collegiate double-doubles. Mitchell Saxen added an ultra efficient 12 points on a perfect 5-5 shooting from the field and 2-2 from the charity stripe, despite only playing 23 minutes due to foul trouble. Augustas Marciulionis went for 10 points and eight assists to just one turnover, while Mikey Lewis, in his collegiate debut, also scored 10 points in just 12 minutes of run.
SIX IN DOUBLE FIGURES, TWO WITH DOUBLE-DOUBLES
WIth six players in double figures tonight, the Gaels matched a feat that they only accomplished once last season, also in their opener. That said, last season's opener came against Division II Stanislaus State, a much different opponent than the Towson team they faced tonight that returned four starters from a 20 win season a year ago. The Gaels also recorded a double double-double, with Paulius Murauskas and Luke Barrett both picking up their first collegiate double-doubles. Saint Mary's accomplished this feat three times last season, against Northern Kentucky, San Diego and Pepperdine, after not having done so since 2018 prior to last year. Augustas Marciulionis had a solid game, with 10 points and eight assists, but was just two assists shy of helping the Gaels to the coveted triple double-double, which was last achieved in 2011.
HANDS OFF, TIGERS!
Saint Mary's drew 25 fouls against the aggressive Towson squad, and made them pay to the tune of 22-29 shooting from the charity stripe. Mitchell Saxen and Paulius Murauskas each went 2-2 from the free throw line, while Augustas Marciulionis was the most accurate free throw shooter of volume, going 5-6. Jordan Ross (6-8), Luke Barrett (4-6) and Mikey Lewis (3-4) each also had solid showings at the stripe tonight. The Gaels connected on 20 or more free throws three times last season, and matched their best free throw shooting percentage when making 20 or more from last season, also going 22-29 in last season's opener against Stanislaus State.
ANOTHER RISING STAR
With Mikey Lewis scoring 10 points tonight, he became the third straight freshman to score in double figures in a season opener. Last year, Rory Hawke scored 13 points off the bench on 4-5 shooting and 3-3 shooting from three. Two seasons ago, it was Aidan Mahaney who dropped 25 against Oral Roberts. Lewis showed a keen ability tonight to score both inside and out, as well as to draw contact and knock down free throws.
POSTGAME
Jordan Ross sat down postgame with members of the media. Here's what he had to say:
UP NEXT
The Gaels will get back at it on Thursday as they welcome in Chattanooga. Tip off is set for 7 PM inside UCU Pavilion.
DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME MEN'S BASKETBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE ON SALE HERE.
#GaelsRise
The Towson Tigers threw the first blow in this one, building an early 7-1 lead in the first 90 seconds of this one. The Gaels responded with a 10-0 run for their own, with all 10 points coming in the paint. Saint Mary's would not relinquish that lead for the remainder of the half, and would extend to as large as 13 points with 3:30 remaining in the frame. The Tigers would finish out the half with a little bit of momentum, bringing the deficit to just nine at the halftime break at 37-28. Familiar faces to Gaels fans, Jordan Ross and Luke Barrett each scored eight to pace SMC, while newcomer Paulius Murauskas ripped down seven first half boards. Saint Mary's shot 54% from the field in the opening stanza, including an impressive 71% in the paint, leading to 20 of their 37 points being scored from within the key.
6:33 | SMC 29 - TOW 20
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 5, 2024
Jordan Ross gets fancy with the layup extending the Gaels' lead late into the half 🔥#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/e7OOsXxIUs
The Gaels extended their lead out to 15 when Mitchell Saxen, parked down low in the post, found an open Augustas Marciulionis who buried a shot from the perimeter six minutes into the frame, pushing the Gaels ahead 51-36. The Tigers came roaring back, however, as over the next 90 seconds, Saxen and Paulius Murauskas each picked up their fourth fouls. Towson would close the gap a bit on a 5-0 run, but a pair of layups by Harry Wessels and Mikey Lewis, plus an Augustas Marciulionis free throw extended the lead right back to 15. The Tiger kept the pressure on the Gaels, however, cutting the deficit three times to six, and once to four, but the early deficit was too much to overcome, as Saint Mary's knocked down three of four free throws late to ice the game. Paulius Murauskas continued his ferocious rebounding, with six more second half boards, while adding 10 points, playing the entire half. Augustas Marciulionis and Luke Barrett also played the entire 20 minutes of the second half, with Barrett adding six more points, and Marciulionis assisting on five buckets to go along with four points of his own. While the Gaels were outscored in the second half, their tremendous rebounding and strong free throw shooting helped them close the game out.
Marciulionis to Saxen never disappoints 👏#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/1JFvHhJ9oz
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 5, 2024
As mentioned earlier, six different Gaels scored in double figures, including a trio, Luke Barrett, Paulius Murauskas and Jordan Ross, who all scored 14. Murauskas and Barrett added 13 and 11 rebounds respectively, each recording their first collegiate double-doubles. Mitchell Saxen added an ultra efficient 12 points on a perfect 5-5 shooting from the field and 2-2 from the charity stripe, despite only playing 23 minutes due to foul trouble. Augustas Marciulionis went for 10 points and eight assists to just one turnover, while Mikey Lewis, in his collegiate debut, also scored 10 points in just 12 minutes of run.
SIX IN DOUBLE FIGURES, TWO WITH DOUBLE-DOUBLES
WIth six players in double figures tonight, the Gaels matched a feat that they only accomplished once last season, also in their opener. That said, last season's opener came against Division II Stanislaus State, a much different opponent than the Towson team they faced tonight that returned four starters from a 20 win season a year ago. The Gaels also recorded a double double-double, with Paulius Murauskas and Luke Barrett both picking up their first collegiate double-doubles. Saint Mary's accomplished this feat three times last season, against Northern Kentucky, San Diego and Pepperdine, after not having done so since 2018 prior to last year. Augustas Marciulionis had a solid game, with 10 points and eight assists, but was just two assists shy of helping the Gaels to the coveted triple double-double, which was last achieved in 2011.
HANDS OFF, TIGERS!
Saint Mary's drew 25 fouls against the aggressive Towson squad, and made them pay to the tune of 22-29 shooting from the charity stripe. Mitchell Saxen and Paulius Murauskas each went 2-2 from the free throw line, while Augustas Marciulionis was the most accurate free throw shooter of volume, going 5-6. Jordan Ross (6-8), Luke Barrett (4-6) and Mikey Lewis (3-4) each also had solid showings at the stripe tonight. The Gaels connected on 20 or more free throws three times last season, and matched their best free throw shooting percentage when making 20 or more from last season, also going 22-29 in last season's opener against Stanislaus State.
ANOTHER RISING STAR
With Mikey Lewis scoring 10 points tonight, he became the third straight freshman to score in double figures in a season opener. Last year, Rory Hawke scored 13 points off the bench on 4-5 shooting and 3-3 shooting from three. Two seasons ago, it was Aidan Mahaney who dropped 25 against Oral Roberts. Lewis showed a keen ability tonight to score both inside and out, as well as to draw contact and knock down free throws.
Ladies and gentlemen, meet Mikey Lewis 👏#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/Ahqlj2Rsgk
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 5, 2024
7:21 | SMC 59 - TOW 51
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 5, 2024
Mikey Lewis with another two, and now he's got nine in his Saint Mary's debut! 🔥#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/buF2nFnR2v
POSTGAME
Jordan Ross sat down postgame with members of the media. Here's what he had to say:
UP NEXT
The Gaels will get back at it on Thursday as they welcome in Chattanooga. Tip off is set for 7 PM inside UCU Pavilion.
DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME MEN'S BASKETBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE ON SALE HERE.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
G/F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballC
/ Men's BasketballC
/ Men's BasketballMBB | Highlights at Arizona (EXHIB), 10-18-25
Saturday, October 18
MBB | SMC vs. Vanderbilt NCAA First Round Postgame Interview
Saturday, March 22
MBB | SMC vs. Gonzaga 2025 WCC Finals Postgame Interview
Wednesday, March 12
MBB | SMC vs. Gonzaga WCC Finals Game Highlights
Tuesday, March 11
