Saturday, November 22
Moraga, CA
7:30 PM
Saint Mary's College of California
6-0,0-0WCC
96
vs
42
UC Merced
2-1,0-0CCAA
1
2
F
UC Merced
26
16
42
Saint Mary's (CA)
40
56
96
Harry Wessels: 12 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast, 2 blks
Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
MBB | Gaels Cruise to 54 Point Victory in Final Game of Six Game Opening Homestand
11/22/2025 11:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MORAGA, Calif. — For the second straight season, the Saint Mary's Gaels (6-0) are unbeaten heading into their Thanksgiving M.T.E (multi-team event), as they downed the UC Merced Bobcats 96-42. The 54 point margin of victory was the seventh largest margin of victory in program history, as the Gaels continued to score with extreme efficiency, shooting at least 50% from the field for the fourth time in six contests.
The Bobcats came out of the gates hot, taking leads at 2-0, 4-2, and 7-6. Following UC Merced taking what would be their final lead of the half, the Gaels would go on a 19-2 run to push ahead 25-9, with 11 of those 19 points being scored by Joshua Dent. The Gaels lead would balloon up to 18 points at 36-18 following a Paulius Murauskas triple, but the Bobcats recaptured some momentum heading into the break, with an 8-4 run to cut the deficit back to 14 at the halftime buzzer. Joshua Dent led the offense for the Gaels with 11 points, burying three threes, a new career-high. Harry Wessels and Paulius Murauskas each chipped in eight, with Wessels leading the team with six boards. Mikey Lewis was held relatively in check, with just six points at the break, but led the Gaels with four first half assists. 11 of the Gaels 13 made buckets came off of assists, in another demonstration of unselfish basketball.
UC Merced hit the first bucket of the second half to cut the deficit to 12, but that was one of just six made baskets by the Bobcats in the second frame. Meanwhile, the Gaels would convert on 19 of 33 shot attempts, outscoring Merced 56-16 to walk away with 96-42 win. Joshua Dent continued to be the Gaels go-to scorer in the second half, scoring 13 points and not missing from the field on four attempts. Paulius Murauskas added 10, missing just one field goal attempt, as the Gaels shot 57.6% in half number two. Most importantly, the Gaels took much better care of the basketball, as after coughing the ball up seven times in the opening frame, they gave it away just once in the second stanza.
It was a career night for point guard Joshua Dent, who scored 24, burying a career-high five threes, while also dishing out four assists. While the spotlight was on the Aussie's three point shooting, he also connected on both of his driving layup attempts, and drew four fouls, resulting in five free throw attempts, all of which he drained. Paulius Murauskas finished up with 18 points, and was 2-3 from beyond the arc, while also coming up with a pair of steals. Mikey Lewis scored 13 for the Gaels, but also dished out six assists, matching his career-high, earned earlier this week against Arkansas State. Off the bench, Harry Wessels scored 12, and came up one rebound shy of his first collegiate double-double, while Tony Duckett dropped 10 in his first double-digit scoring effort as a Gael. Saint Mary's set season-highs in points scored, field goals made, three point field goals made, and steals, while setting a season-low mark with eight turnovers. They have now scored 80+ in six straight, and continue to shoot 50% from the field, better than 40% (45.7%) from three, and better than 75% from the stripe (79.1%).
MAKE THAT SIX IN A ROW
The Gaels are not just celebrating six straight wins, but also six straight offensive outpourings, as they have now scored 80+ in six straight for the first since the 2009-10 season. The last time the Gaels scored 80+ in seven straight ranged from the end of the 1976-77 season to the start of the 1977-78 campaign under the guidance of Coach Frank LaPorte, when the Gaels scored 80+ in 12 straight from Feb. 10, 1977 to Dec. 13 1977.
MORE THAN A PLAYMAKER
Joshua Dent has been heralded for his high level point guard ability, sitting with the second best assist-to-turnover ratio (4.71) and the third most assists (33) in the WCC. That said, tonight was all about Dent's scoring ability. The Wollongong, Australia native dropped a career-high 24, burying five triples, the most of any Gael this season. He also connected on all five free throw attempts, moving him to 22-22 for the year. He is currently just nine consecutive made free throws away from tying Dan Galvin's consecutive free throw make record that has stood since 1948. With an ability to both score and create scoring opportunities for others, Dent has demonstrated his veteran level talent for the Gaels despite being just a true sophomore.
THE LAST WORD
UP NEXT
The Gaels are Bahamas bound, as they get set for the Battle 4 Atlantis. Their opening contest in this tournament will be on Wednesday, November 26, when they take on Wichita State. Tip off is set for 7:30 PM local time/4:30 PM Pacific.
DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME MEN'S BASKETBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE ON SALE HERE.
#GaelsRise
The Bobcats came out of the gates hot, taking leads at 2-0, 4-2, and 7-6. Following UC Merced taking what would be their final lead of the half, the Gaels would go on a 19-2 run to push ahead 25-9, with 11 of those 19 points being scored by Joshua Dent. The Gaels lead would balloon up to 18 points at 36-18 following a Paulius Murauskas triple, but the Bobcats recaptured some momentum heading into the break, with an 8-4 run to cut the deficit back to 14 at the halftime buzzer. Joshua Dent led the offense for the Gaels with 11 points, burying three threes, a new career-high. Harry Wessels and Paulius Murauskas each chipped in eight, with Wessels leading the team with six boards. Mikey Lewis was held relatively in check, with just six points at the break, but led the Gaels with four first half assists. 11 of the Gaels 13 made buckets came off of assists, in another demonstration of unselfish basketball.
Paulius Murauskas gets the Gaels started 🔥#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/VdN5IcJplH
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 23, 2025
A little up and under from the big man 😮💨#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/FlgE82OAhd
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 23, 2025
AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE 🗣️🗣️🗣️#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/W5ck59Mj1d
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 23, 2025
Word of advice: don't leave Josh Dent open 🙂↔️#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/GnAR5JBCKL
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 23, 2025
Paulius knocks down a three to extend the lead!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/k5Uqq6ceW6
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 23, 2025
Mikey Lewis FLYING IN#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/0hRxcZB6Cy
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 23, 2025
UC Merced hit the first bucket of the second half to cut the deficit to 12, but that was one of just six made baskets by the Bobcats in the second frame. Meanwhile, the Gaels would convert on 19 of 33 shot attempts, outscoring Merced 56-16 to walk away with 96-42 win. Joshua Dent continued to be the Gaels go-to scorer in the second half, scoring 13 points and not missing from the field on four attempts. Paulius Murauskas added 10, missing just one field goal attempt, as the Gaels shot 57.6% in half number two. Most importantly, the Gaels took much better care of the basketball, as after coughing the ball up seven times in the opening frame, they gave it away just once in the second stanza.
Paulius from midrange 🔥#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/2fZZBT1Nxb
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 23, 2025
Take it yourself Paulius!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/Nv0Z4Z7cFZ
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 23, 2025
Drain-o 🙂↕️#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/UxFp3S8p1h
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 23, 2025
We told you not to leave him open 🤷♂️#GaelsRise https://t.co/LXgxtUwabD pic.twitter.com/0QS3AqTmTC
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 23, 2025
Big bucket for the Aussie 🗣️
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 23, 2025
This layup from Josh Dent ties his career high (18 PTS)!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/9kKt6d7uZ2
COUNT THAT 👇
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 23, 2025
(btw Josh Dent has a new career high now)#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/gjrSgBqvx0
It was a career night for point guard Joshua Dent, who scored 24, burying a career-high five threes, while also dishing out four assists. While the spotlight was on the Aussie's three point shooting, he also connected on both of his driving layup attempts, and drew four fouls, resulting in five free throw attempts, all of which he drained. Paulius Murauskas finished up with 18 points, and was 2-3 from beyond the arc, while also coming up with a pair of steals. Mikey Lewis scored 13 for the Gaels, but also dished out six assists, matching his career-high, earned earlier this week against Arkansas State. Off the bench, Harry Wessels scored 12, and came up one rebound shy of his first collegiate double-double, while Tony Duckett dropped 10 in his first double-digit scoring effort as a Gael. Saint Mary's set season-highs in points scored, field goals made, three point field goals made, and steals, while setting a season-low mark with eight turnovers. They have now scored 80+ in six straight, and continue to shoot 50% from the field, better than 40% (45.7%) from three, and better than 75% from the stripe (79.1%).
MAKE THAT SIX IN A ROW
The Gaels are not just celebrating six straight wins, but also six straight offensive outpourings, as they have now scored 80+ in six straight for the first since the 2009-10 season. The last time the Gaels scored 80+ in seven straight ranged from the end of the 1976-77 season to the start of the 1977-78 campaign under the guidance of Coach Frank LaPorte, when the Gaels scored 80+ in 12 straight from Feb. 10, 1977 to Dec. 13 1977.
MORE THAN A PLAYMAKER
Joshua Dent has been heralded for his high level point guard ability, sitting with the second best assist-to-turnover ratio (4.71) and the third most assists (33) in the WCC. That said, tonight was all about Dent's scoring ability. The Wollongong, Australia native dropped a career-high 24, burying five triples, the most of any Gael this season. He also connected on all five free throw attempts, moving him to 22-22 for the year. He is currently just nine consecutive made free throws away from tying Dan Galvin's consecutive free throw make record that has stood since 1948. With an ability to both score and create scoring opportunities for others, Dent has demonstrated his veteran level talent for the Gaels despite being just a true sophomore.
THE LAST WORD
UP NEXT
The Gaels are Bahamas bound, as they get set for the Battle 4 Atlantis. Their opening contest in this tournament will be on Wednesday, November 26, when they take on Wichita State. Tip off is set for 7:30 PM local time/4:30 PM Pacific.
DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME MEN'S BASKETBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE ON SALE HERE.
#GaelsRise
Team Stats
M-30266
M-610
FG%
.278
.500
3FG%
.143
.462
FT%
.667
.690
RB
30
49
TO
18
8
STL
5
10
Game Leaders
Pts
24
FGM
7
3FGM
5
FTM
5
Pts
18
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
13
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballC
/ Men's BasketballMBB | Highlights vs. UC Merced, 11-22-25
Saturday, November 22
MBB | Harry Wessels Postgame Interview vs. UC Merced, 11-22-25, presented by University Credit Union
Saturday, November 22
MBB | Highlights vs. Arkansas State, 11-19-25
Wednesday, November 19
MBB | Mikey Lewis and Randy Bennett Postgame vs. Arkansas State, Presented by University Credit Union
Wednesday, November 19
