SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The Saint Mary's Gaels (15-3, 5-0 WCC) put together a dominant 40 minutes of action against the San Diego Toreros (4-14, 1-4 WCC), taking their first double-digit lead at the 8:47 mark of this game, and extending it out to 47 points, where the game ended, 103-58. The Gaels put up 62 points in the second half compared to San Diego's 56 for the game, one of many eye popping stats in Saturday night's SMC victory.
Jordan Ross got the Gaels going with a three in their second possession of the game, and Saint Mary's never looked back. After the game stayed within single digits for the first 11 minutes and change, Augustas Marciulionis buried a triple with 8:47 to go in the half to put the Gaels up 23-13, and would keep the pedal to the metal to extend the lead out to 17 points at the half, 41-24. Six of the eight Gaels who touched the floor in the first half scored, with five of them scoring at least six points. Captains Augustas Marciulionis and Mitchell Saxen led the charged with nine points each, as Marciulionis led the Gaels with four assists, and Saxen led his squad with six boards. Paulius Murauskas filled up the stat sheet with four points, six rebounds and two steals in the first half, while Marciulionis and Luke Barrett didn't leave the floor in the opening stanza.
The Gaels continued to pile it on in the second half, with everyone contributing to the 47 point victory, as every active Saint Mary's player touched the floor. Mikey Lewis was perfect in the second half, going 4-4 from the field and 3-3 from three point range. Also not missing from the field in the second half were Paulius Murauskas, Harry Wessels and Kevin Gad. Mitchell Saxen scored six points while ripping down six offensive boards, while Murauskas and Jordan Ross each dished out three second half assists with no turnovers.
Mikey Lewis led the Gaels with 18 points on 7-8 shooting (4-5 from three). Joining him in double figures were Mitchell Saxen (15 pts, 12 reb, 2 blk, 2 stl), Jordan Ross (12 pts, 5 ast, 0 to), Augustas Marciulionis (11 pts, 4 ast, 1 to) and Luke Barrett (10 pts). Paulius Murauskas only went for 9 points, but did a bit of everything with 10 rebounds, five assists, one block and two steals. The Gaels had season highs in points, field goals made, threes made and assists, while tying a season low in turnovers with only six.
THE OUTSTANDING OFFENSE
The Saint Mary's Gaels eclipsed the century mark since the first time since 2/15/24, when they also scored 103 points against Pepperdine. The 103 points scored tied for the second most points scored in a regulation 40 minutes against a WCC foe since 1996. All 12 active Gaels touched the floor, with 11 scoring, and five (Mikey Lewis, Mitchell Saxen, Jordan Ross, Augustas Marciulionis and Luke Barrett) reaching double figures. The Gaels also set season highs in field goals made (37, most since 2/15/24 vs Pepperdine), field goal percentage (52.9%, best since 3/11/24 vs Santa Clara), three pointers made (15, most since 1/11/24 vs Portland), three point percentage (51.7%, best since 2/15/24 vs Pepperdine), assists (26, most since 2/24/24 vs San Diego) and assist/to ratio (4.33, best since 1/11/24 vs Portland). There were individual career-highs aplenty in this one. Mikey Lewis set career marks in field goal percentage (87.5%) and three point percentage (80%) for the game. Harry Wessels went a perfect 5-5 from the charity stripe for the first time in his career, moving him to an impressive 82.8% from the line on the season. With a 2-2 day from the field, Wessels also surpassed Jock Landale for best career field goal percentage in program history at 62.7% (this record will stay in flux until Wessels graduates). Jordan Ross made four threes for the second time in his career in a single game, and had his second career 5+ assist, no turnover game, as he continues to lead the Gaels in assist to turnover at 3.11. After being limited to just three points in his first 12 games, Joshua Dent went for eight off the bench on 3-5 shooting and 2-3 from three in just eight minutes of play, while Ashton Hardaway tied his career high, and set a new Gael career high with three assists. The Gaels pounded the Toreros in nearly every offensive statistical category including points off of turnovers (+17), points in the paint (+14), second chance points (+14), fast break points (+8) and bench scoring (+18). While defense has been the Gaels calling card all season and throughout Coach Bennett's tenure (more on that later), tonight's offensive showing demonstrated just how good offensively this team can be.
THE DOMINANT DEFENSE
The Gaels held their fourth consecutive opponent below 60 points, as San Diego was only able to muster up 56 points for the game, six less than the Gaels offensive output in the second half alone. Saint Mary's played incredibly clean defense all night, committing just 10 fouls, and allowing the Toreros to shoot just three free throws all evening, the fewest free throws surrendered by a Gaels squad since Nicholls State only shot three on 12/1/20. The Gaels forced 15 turnovers by San Diego resulting in 17 points off of turnovers and contributing to the Gaels 16 fast break points. Joshua Dent led the team with a career-high three steals, while Mitchell Saxen and Paulius Murauskas each had two. Defensive rebounding was also key for the Gaels, who limited the Toreros to just seven second chance points, with Murauskas once again being the biggest contributor with nine d-boards. The Gaels had as many defensive rebounds (21) as the Toreros had total boards. Shot blocking was also on display, with the Gaels rejecting four shots, including two each from Saxen and Ashton Hardaway, a career-high for the latter. WCC foes have now been limited to just 54.2 points per game against the Gaels.
POSTGAME CHATS
"I've been feeling good lately, playing with a bunch of confidence knowing that we're coming out to win every time we hit the court. When I was in a bit of slump earlier this season, I started to get away from my game a bit, passing out of good looks, but the Coaching Staff, and especially Coach McConnell expressed to me to take the open looks or I would be benched, so I've been able to work my way out of it thanks to their confidence in me. As a team, our chemistry has been coming along, we're really gelling and its shown a lot lately. I think we'll have a really good film session on Monday!" –Freshman Guard Mikey Lewis
UP NEXT
The Gaels will head to Pepperdine a week from today to take on the Waves at Firestone Fieldhouse. Tip-off is set for 7 PM on January 18.
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