Saturday, October 18
Tucson, AZ
2:00 PM
Saint Mary's College of California
at
Arizona
Josh Dent: 14 Pts (Team-High), 6-9 FG
Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
MBB | Gaels Open Preseason Slate with Gritty Showdown in the Desert
10/18/2025 7:36:00 PM | Men's Basketball
TUCSON, Ariz. — Saint Mary's Hoops fans were treated to their first look at the 2025-26 Gaels in their first of two exhibitions this Saturday, in Tucson, Arizona. This exhibition certainly was not against a slouch of an opponent either, as the Gaels got a glimpse at an Arizona Wildcat team that is coming off of their third Sweet 16 in the last four years, and brought in the 2nd rated recruiting class in the country. The Gaels left Tucson with exactly what they were looking for, a benchmark of where the Gaels will start in 2025-26, and where they need to improve to compete and be a second weekend NCAA Tournament Team.
The Gaels erased an early six point deficit to knot things up at 11 apiece, but the Wildcats would pull ahead by as many as 12 in the first half. Saint Mary's would remain steadfast in their resolve, closing out the half on a 10-5 run to cut the deficit to seven at the halftime break. In a homecoming of sorts, Paulius Murauskas returned to his former home court in the McKale Center, and scored eight in the first half to lead the Gaels. Mikey Lewis chipped in seven to go along with three assists, two steals and no turnovers, while Andrew McKeever scored six and ripped down seven rebounds, tallying half of the Gaels total on the glass in half one.
Saint Mary's cut the deficit to as close as three points three in the second stanza, but a late surge over final 5:55 would push the Wildcats across the finish line despite the gritty effort from the Gaels. While half one was primarily headlined for the Gaels by the front court duo of Paulius Murauskas and Andrew McKeever, the second half scoring effort was led by a pair of back court members, Joshua Dent and Tony Duckett. Dent scored 10 points in the second half, connecting on 5-7 field goal attempts, while also leading the Gaels with a pair of second half dimes. Duckett, who traded in his San Diego Toreros gear for a Gael uniform in the Summer, added nine points, with six coming from the charity stripe on six attempts. Freshman Dillan Shaw also saw 13 minutes of run in the second half, converting on a pair of perimeter jumpers.
Joshua Dent finished the day leading all scorers with 14 points on an efficient 6-9 shooting for the field. The sophomore out of Wollongong, Australia was crafty finishing around the basket, as the Gaels continue to look for their next in a long line of star point guards. Paulius Murauskas and Tony Duckett each added 12 points, as both gave fits to the Arizona's defense, drawing a combined eight fouls, and converting a combined 11 of 14 free throw attempts. Mikey Lewis and Andrew McKeever both chipped in nine points, with McKeever leading the Gaels with nine boards, and Lewis leading SMC with three assists (to just one turnover) and two steals. The Gaels calling card from last year, rebounding, was on display this season, despite the departure of stellar glass eaters Mitchell Saxen and Luke Barrett, as Saint Mary's outrebounded Arizona 39-35, including 10-6 on the offensive boards, leading to a 9-6 second chance scoring lead.
The Gaels second and final exhibition will take place on Sunday, October 26 in Oxford, Mississippi, as the Gaels will get a shot at SEC foe Ole Miss. The Gaels saw a pair of SEC opponents in the NCAA Tournament last year, defeating Vanderbilt in the opening round, before falling to Alabama in the Round of 32. Ole Miss is coming off of their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2019, and just their second Sweet 16 in program history.
DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME MEN'S BASKETBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE ON SALE HERE.
#GaelsRise
The Gaels erased an early six point deficit to knot things up at 11 apiece, but the Wildcats would pull ahead by as many as 12 in the first half. Saint Mary's would remain steadfast in their resolve, closing out the half on a 10-5 run to cut the deficit to seven at the halftime break. In a homecoming of sorts, Paulius Murauskas returned to his former home court in the McKale Center, and scored eight in the first half to lead the Gaels. Mikey Lewis chipped in seven to go along with three assists, two steals and no turnovers, while Andrew McKeever scored six and ripped down seven rebounds, tallying half of the Gaels total on the glass in half one.
SMC 11 - ARI 11
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) October 18, 2025
We missed this 🤩#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/Gyqehr4aoL
Mikey Lewis takes it to the basket himself 🏀🔥 #GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/uQJi0wpfxC
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) October 18, 2025
Saint Mary's cut the deficit to as close as three points three in the second stanza, but a late surge over final 5:55 would push the Wildcats across the finish line despite the gritty effort from the Gaels. While half one was primarily headlined for the Gaels by the front court duo of Paulius Murauskas and Andrew McKeever, the second half scoring effort was led by a pair of back court members, Joshua Dent and Tony Duckett. Dent scored 10 points in the second half, connecting on 5-7 field goal attempts, while also leading the Gaels with a pair of second half dimes. Duckett, who traded in his San Diego Toreros gear for a Gael uniform in the Summer, added nine points, with six coming from the charity stripe on six attempts. Freshman Dillan Shaw also saw 13 minutes of run in the second half, converting on a pair of perimeter jumpers.
SMC 38 - ARI 42
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) October 18, 2025
Josh Dent heating up in the second half 👏#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/wHuhLCftJ2
SMC 60 - ARI 63
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) October 18, 2025
That's a 3️⃣ for freshman Dillan Shaw!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/wAsiEFCJmD
Tony Duckett sinks a three and brings his total to 12 for the day 😤#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/NpOSTWfQSt
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) October 18, 2025
Joshua Dent finished the day leading all scorers with 14 points on an efficient 6-9 shooting for the field. The sophomore out of Wollongong, Australia was crafty finishing around the basket, as the Gaels continue to look for their next in a long line of star point guards. Paulius Murauskas and Tony Duckett each added 12 points, as both gave fits to the Arizona's defense, drawing a combined eight fouls, and converting a combined 11 of 14 free throw attempts. Mikey Lewis and Andrew McKeever both chipped in nine points, with McKeever leading the Gaels with nine boards, and Lewis leading SMC with three assists (to just one turnover) and two steals. The Gaels calling card from last year, rebounding, was on display this season, despite the departure of stellar glass eaters Mitchell Saxen and Luke Barrett, as Saint Mary's outrebounded Arizona 39-35, including 10-6 on the offensive boards, leading to a 9-6 second chance scoring lead.
SMC 17 - ARI 19
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) October 18, 2025
Tony Duckett pulls up from midrange and sinks the shot 😮💨#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/mhYld0PNMR
SMC 32 - ARI 37
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) October 18, 2025
First points of the second half of the way of the Gaels 💪#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/x0tngugtCs
Teamwork makes the dream work 🤝#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/lOnSQmMHHv
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) October 18, 2025
The Gaels second and final exhibition will take place on Sunday, October 26 in Oxford, Mississippi, as the Gaels will get a shot at SEC foe Ole Miss. The Gaels saw a pair of SEC opponents in the NCAA Tournament last year, defeating Vanderbilt in the opening round, before falling to Alabama in the Round of 32. Ole Miss is coming off of their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2019, and just their second Sweet 16 in program history.
DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME MEN'S BASKETBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE ON SALE HERE.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's BasketballMBB | Highlights at Arizona (EXHIB), 10-18-25
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