PORTLAND, Ore. — Saint Mary's (13-3, 3-0 WCC) ran their winning streak inside the Chiles Center to 11 straight, besting the Portland Pilots (5-12, 0-4 WCC) 81-58. This contest had all the makings of a defensive slugfest, with neither team reaching the 30 point mark in the first half, but the Gaels exploded for 53 second half points, cruising to the 23 point W. With the win, the Gaels moved to 10 games over 0.500 for the first time this season.
Portland opened the game on a 7-2 run, over the first 2:15 of the game, but the Gaels responded by holding Portland to 12 points over the final 17:45 with suffocating defense. At the 5:18 mark of the first half, Portland tied things up at 15 apiece, but the Gaels closed the half on a 13-4 run to take a nine point lead into the break. Jordan Ross didn't miss from the field, from three or from the stripe in the first half, going for 10 points, while Augustas Marciulionis added six first half points and three first assists. Luke Barrett didn't leave the floor in the first, and was limited to just two points, but ripped down a team-high six rebounds. The Gaels turned the ball over just four times in the first half, to Portland's nine, and as such, outscored the Pilots 6-0 off of turnovers.
Augustus Marciulionis scored the first 10 points of the second half for the Gaels, propelling them to their first double-digit lead over the Pilots. This opened the floodgates for the Gaels, who would shoot 59% from the field in the second half, compared to 29% in the first, eventually extending their lead all the way out to 30 with five minutes to go, before settling in for the 23 point victory. Marciulionis scored 14 total points in the second half, 10 coming in the first three minutes of play. Joining him in double figures was Mikey Lewis, who chipped in 12 second half points after being shutout in the first stanza. Mitchell Saxen had six points and six rebounds in limited time due to foul trouble in the second half, while Marciulionis was joined by Jordan Ross and Paulius Murauskas, all recording three second half assists. While the four turnovers for the Gaels were impressive in the first half, Saint Mary's cut that number down to just three in the second half, outscoring Portland 15-2 off turnovers in the second stanza.
Augustus Marciulionis led all scorers with 20 points for the Gaels, while also serving as their best playmaker with six assists to just one turnover. Jordan Ross added 14 points on 5-9 shooting and four assists to one turnover, while Mikey Lewis dropped 12 and recorded a team-high three steals. Mitchell Saxen finished with 10 boards, and was just one point shy of a double-double. Saint Mary's seven turnovers was the second lowest this season, after coughing the ball up just six times against Pacific a week ago. Every active Gael was able to touch the floor tonight.
BRILLIANCE IN THE BACKCOURT
The Portland Pilots starting front court trio have an average height of 6-11.3 and did an excellent job matching up with the likes of Luke Barrett, Paulius Murauskas and Mitchell Saxen defensively. That said, the Gaels were able to pull away in this one on the backs of their starting front court, Augustas Marciulionis and Jordan Ross, as well as their sixth man, Mikey Lewis. All three of these players stood out in different phases of the game. Things got started with Ross, who was huge in the first half. Not only did the sophomore hit the first Saint Mary's three of the game to cut into the Gaels largest deficit of the game, but then assisted on the Marciulionis three that broke the final tie of the game, pushing SMC ahead 18-15 with 5:18 left in the first half. Ross then scored seven of the Gaels final 10 points of the first half to give them a nine point lead heading into the break. The first three minutes of the second half belonged to Augustas, who scored 10 points in that span, helping the Gaels extend their lead to double digits. Lewis, who was shutout for the first 28 minutes of this one, had his moment come at the midway point of the second half, scoring eight straight points in a 70 second span, eventually scoring 12 points, all in the second half. While Marciulionis and Ross were the Gaels top two scorers, they also were the Gaels best two playmakers, combining for 10 assists and just two turnovers, while Marciulionis and Lewis combined for five of the Gaels 10 steals defensively.
THAT'S OUR BALL!
The Gaels had a season best +12 turnover margin in tonight's contest, forcing 19 turnovers while committing just seven. This led to Saint Mary's outscoring Portland 21-2 off of turnovers. Over the first three games of WCC play, the Gaels have only turned the ball over 22 times, their lowest over a three game stretch this season, as their turnover margin in these three games has been +18.
DOING EVERYTHING RIGHT
While his statistical numbers don't jump off the page, Ashton Hardaway had his fingerprints all over tonight's victory. The sophomore transfer from Memphis had four points (2-2 from the field), two rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block, but most importantly, with Hardaway on the floor for a little under 16 minutes, the Gaels were an incredible +22 on the scoreboard. Hardaway has become an excellent asset for the Gaels, especially against zone defenses, moving the ball with precision and accuracy from the high post position.
QUOTABLE
"It's been great getting back to my point guard roots and getting more comfortable running the offense. The game is getting a lot slower for me, and I've been able to play the right way, and when you play the right way, good things happen!" – Jordan Ross on his 12 assist, 1 turnover week
"10 assists and just two turnovers from your point guards is huge. It's what you need to win, especially on the road. You can't ask for more than that!" – Associate Head Coach Mickey McConnell on tonight's point guard play
UP NEXT
It will be a quick turnaround for the Gaels, who host LMU on Tuesday night. Tip off is set for 8 PM inside UCU Pavilion.
DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME MEN'S BASKETBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE ON SALE HERE.
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