Palius Murauskas (23): WCC Player of the Week, Andrew McKeever (45): WCC Freshman of the Week
Photo by: SMC Athletics / Piper Westrom
MBB | Murauskas and McKeever Sweep WCC Weekly Awards
12/9/2024 10:01:00 AM | Men's Basketball
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – For the second time this season, Saint Mary's has swept the WCC Weekly Awards, as Paulius Murauskas has been named the WCC Player of the Week, while Andrew McKeever earned his second nod as Freshman of the Week. Murauskas and McKeever both provided quality minutes in the Gaels 2-0 week against UTSA and Utah. This is the third time in five weeks of the season that Gaels have had at least one men's basketball student-athlete honored with a WCC weekly award, and the second time that the Gaels have swept both awards this season.
Paulius Murauskas shook off a slow shooting night against UTSA, playing a physical brand of basketball to earn his fifth double in his first nine games as a Gael (12 points, 12 rebounds). He followed that up with a career night against Utah, scoring 29 points to go along with seven boards to lead the Gaels to their third Power Four victory of non-conference play (Nebraska, USC, Utah). Murauskas entered that one just 6-27 from three for the season, but buried 6-10 including three in the final six possessions of the game to put the game on ice for the Gaels. It was the first time a Gael has hit at least six triples in one game since Alex Ducas had 7 in the WCC Semis a year ago. This was the Gaels first win over the Utes in Utah since before the Huntsman Center was built (last win at Univ. of Utah was in 1958). It was only the Gaels fourth win over the Utes in 23 total meetings.
When both Mitchell Saxen and Harry Wessels picked up two fouls in the first half against Utah, the Gaels went to Andrew McKeever off the bench for his first first half action of the season. McKeever impressed with one made field goal on one attempt, four rebounds, good for second most on the team in the first half, and one blocked shot. The Gaels then went back to McKeever in the second half as Saxen got into deeper foul trouble, and he hit two more field goals (on two more attempts) and four more rebounds, leading to his team-high eight for the night. McKeever played a career-high 21 minutes in Salt Lake City, the most of any Gaels center in that contest. He has now made 10 of his first 11 field goal attempts to open his career.
Murauskas, McKeever and the rest of the Gaels will have seven days following their W over Utah to prepare for the next contest, a rematch in Idaho Falls against Boise State. The Gaels narrowly fell to the Broncos in Idaho Falls a season ago, 63-60, and will hope to avenge that loss this year.
DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME MEN'S BASKETBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE ON SALE HERE.
#GaelsRise
Paulius Murauskas shook off a slow shooting night against UTSA, playing a physical brand of basketball to earn his fifth double in his first nine games as a Gael (12 points, 12 rebounds). He followed that up with a career night against Utah, scoring 29 points to go along with seven boards to lead the Gaels to their third Power Four victory of non-conference play (Nebraska, USC, Utah). Murauskas entered that one just 6-27 from three for the season, but buried 6-10 including three in the final six possessions of the game to put the game on ice for the Gaels. It was the first time a Gael has hit at least six triples in one game since Alex Ducas had 7 in the WCC Semis a year ago. This was the Gaels first win over the Utes in Utah since before the Huntsman Center was built (last win at Univ. of Utah was in 1958). It was only the Gaels fourth win over the Utes in 23 total meetings.
Kicking off the second half with a nice dunk from Paulius Murauskas👏#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/NLMrDZ6ZuQ
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) December 4, 2024
Paulius Murauskas finishes with the off hand and Saint Mary's is now up by 15 points with under eight to go in the half 🙌#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/PtMyILsziC
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) December 8, 2024
Paulius Murauskas nails a corner-three and he's up to 11 PTS tonight 🔥#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/xXDBJ0R8Cl
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) December 8, 2024
Paulius Murauskas picking up right where he left off with the and-1 ‼️#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/j6sxaCh2lf
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) December 8, 2024
Paulius Murauskas CANNOT BE STOPPED 🔥‼️
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) December 8, 2024
Murauskas is up to 17 PTS on 6-10 shooting!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/ewarmbhb1k
Paulius Murauskas continues to be an offensive workhorse in this game, as he hits his third three of the night 👌🔥#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/8QfezpVa5Y
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) December 8, 2024
It's officially the Paulius Murauskas Show and we're all just here to watch 😮💨#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/pXkalOvy4f
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) December 8, 2024
WHO ELSE 🗣️#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/gGrivwTkUm
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) December 8, 2024
When both Mitchell Saxen and Harry Wessels picked up two fouls in the first half against Utah, the Gaels went to Andrew McKeever off the bench for his first first half action of the season. McKeever impressed with one made field goal on one attempt, four rebounds, good for second most on the team in the first half, and one blocked shot. The Gaels then went back to McKeever in the second half as Saxen got into deeper foul trouble, and he hit two more field goals (on two more attempts) and four more rebounds, leading to his team-high eight for the night. McKeever played a career-high 21 minutes in Salt Lake City, the most of any Gaels center in that contest. He has now made 10 of his first 11 field goal attempts to open his career.
Augustas Marciulionis find Andrew McKeever in the paint and the Gaels extend their lead ‼️#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/pIq4xDtUfL
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) December 8, 2024
Strong defense being provided off the bench from Andrew McKeever 👏#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/XkF4CPqamj
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) December 8, 2024
Augustas Marciulionis finds Andrew McKeever in the paint once again 💪‼️#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/EEUnNtTswX
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) December 8, 2024
Murauskas, McKeever and the rest of the Gaels will have seven days following their W over Utah to prepare for the next contest, a rematch in Idaho Falls against Boise State. The Gaels narrowly fell to the Broncos in Idaho Falls a season ago, 63-60, and will hope to avenge that loss this year.
DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME MEN'S BASKETBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE ON SALE HERE.
#GaelsRise
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