Friday, November 28
Paradise Island, Bahamas
10:00 AM
Saint Mary's College of California
8-1,0-0WCC
71
vs
96
Vanderbilt
8-0,0-0SEC
1
2
F
Saint Mary's (CA)
34
37
71
Vanderbilt
51
45
96
Dillan Shaw: 7 pts, 6 reb
Photo by: Jonathan Lesane
MBB | Gaels Fall to 24th Ranked Vanderbilt, Finish as Battle 4 Atlantis Runners Up
11/28/2025 2:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas — Entering today's contest, the Vanderbilt Commodores (8-0) boasted the second best scoring offense in the country (98.1 PPG), while the Saint Mary's Gaels (8-1) held the fifth best scoring defense (58.9 PPG Allowed). Today, it was offense over defense, as Vanderbilt dictated the pace of play en route to a 96-71 victory. The Gaels fell behind early, fought back into the contest early in the second half, but couldn't claw out from the early hole.
While Vanderbilt took an early 4-0 lead in the opening minute of the game, the Gaels fought back to knot things up at four apiece, and kept things close, with the score sitting at 17-13 through the first eight minutes of play. Over the next 3:25, however, the Commodores would explode for a 17-0 run to pull ahead by 21. Saint Mary's would respond with a 14-5 run of their own, sparked by a pair of Mikey Lewis threes, but Vandy would get the lead back up to 17 at the half, at 51-34. Mikey Lewis led the Gaels offensive efforts with 16 first half points, burying four of five three point attempts and also reeling in three rebounds. Paulius Murauskas continued to play his physical brand of basketball, earning six attempts at the stripe, and knocking down all six, while also dishing out a pair of dimes. Andrew McKeever was limited to just two points, but led the team with four rebounds and three assists. 51 points was the most the Gaels have given up in a half since the 2023-24 campaign when they defeated Santa Clara 82-77 despite leading 44-22 at the half.
Despite the double-digit halftime deficit, the Gaels were unfazed to start the second half, opening on a 10-2 run to trim the deficit to single digits. Unfortunately, that was as close as the Gaels would get, as with every bucket they would score, the Commodores seemed to have an immediate answer. After trailing by 17 at the break, the Gaels kept the deficit within 16 for the first 12 minutes and change of the second half, before Vanderbilt eventually ran away with things late, closing the game out on a 15-5 run to finish out the contests with a 96-71 victory. Paulius Murauskas added 14 second half points, with Joshua Dent chipping in six (2-2 FG 2-2 FT) and Dillan Shaw contributing five points and a team-high five boards. The Gaels saw statistical improvements in almost every category in the second half, shooting at 46.2% from the field (42.3% in first) and 37.5% from three (30.8% in first), while holding the Commodores to 47.2% from the field (58.1% in first) and 37.5% from three (45.5% in first). This helped the Gaels claw back into contention early in the frame, but the hill was just too far to climb, as Vanderbilt was able to see out the victory.
Paulius Murauskas led the charge for the Gaels yet again, with 24 points to go along with four rebounds and a team-high three assists. Continuing to be a load for anyone to defend, Murauskas scored nearly half of his points from the stripe, knocking down 11 of 13 attempts. Mikey Lewis bounced back after being limited to just five points yesterday, scoring 19, knocking down four of seven three point attempts, and reeling in five rebounds. Those two made up 60% of the Gaels scoring today, with no other player reaching double-figures. For the second straight season, the Gaels will finish as runners up in their annual MTE, after taking home second place at the Acrisure Classic a year ago.
CASHING IN THE FREEBIES
For the seventh time this season, the Gaels made it to the free throw line 20 times, drawing 20 Commodore fouls. After their physical play earned them trips to the line, the Gaels were also sure to convert those chances, knocking down their first 15 in a row today, and eventually finishing at 18-20 overall. It is the second time this year that the Gaels have shot 90% or better from the stripe. WCC free throw leader Paulius Murauskas became the first Gael since Logan (15, Feb. 25, 2023 at Gonzaga) to get to the stripe 13 times in one game, and also was the first Gael to bury 11 free throws a game since Johnson in that same game. Mikey Lewis and Joshua Dent were both perfect at the line, going 5-5 and 2-2 respectively, running their percentages for the season to 96.8% and 97.3% respectively. As a team, the Gaels are back over 80% for the season, a pleasant sight to see after Saint Mary's shot sub-70% each of the last three seasons from the stripe.
ANOTHER 70
For the first time since the 2017-18 season, the Gaels have scored 70 or more points in nine straight contests. This is the fifth time in the Bennett era, and 16th time overall that the Gaels have accomplished this feat. The program record for consecutive 70+ games is 16 straight, spanning from January 28, 1977 to December 13 1977 of both the 1976-77 and 1977-78 campaigns.
TOURNAMENT ACCOLADES
Paulius Murauskas and Mikey Lewis were both named to the Battle 4 Atlantis All-Tournament team. Murauskas led the Gaels averaging 21 points per contest and knocking down 24-28 free throw attempts. He was the only Gael to score in double-figures in all three contests, reaching the 20 point mark in the first matchups, before coming up just one point shy of 20 in the championship. Lewis averaged 13 points per game, even more impressive when figuring that he was held to season-low five points against Virginia Tech. More than just a scorer, Lewis also did his part on the boards, as the Gaels top rebounding guard, averaging four per game, and distributed six assists, good for second most for the Gaels for the three game tournament. Joining Lewis and Murauskas on the all-tournament team were Vanderbilt's Jalen Washington, Tyler Tanner, and Tournament MVP Duke Miles.
COACHES CORNER
UP NEXT
After the gauntlet of three games in three days, the Gaels will have no competitions for the next eight days, before returning to the court on Sunday, December 7 in Davidson, North Carolina to take on the Wildcats of Davidson College. Tip off for that contest is set for 2 PM EST / 11 AM PST.
DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME MEN'S BASKETBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE ON SALE HERE.
#GaelsRise
While Vanderbilt took an early 4-0 lead in the opening minute of the game, the Gaels fought back to knot things up at four apiece, and kept things close, with the score sitting at 17-13 through the first eight minutes of play. Over the next 3:25, however, the Commodores would explode for a 17-0 run to pull ahead by 21. Saint Mary's would respond with a 14-5 run of their own, sparked by a pair of Mikey Lewis threes, but Vandy would get the lead back up to 17 at the half, at 51-34. Mikey Lewis led the Gaels offensive efforts with 16 first half points, burying four of five three point attempts and also reeling in three rebounds. Paulius Murauskas continued to play his physical brand of basketball, earning six attempts at the stripe, and knocking down all six, while also dishing out a pair of dimes. Andrew McKeever was limited to just two points, but led the team with four rebounds and three assists. 51 points was the most the Gaels have given up in a half since the 2023-24 campaign when they defeated Santa Clara 82-77 despite leading 44-22 at the half.
Mikey Lewis gets the offens going early! #GaelsRise @WCChoops @WCCsports pic.twitter.com/RclkPS0wuL
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 28, 2025
Mikey drains the late shotclock triple!#GaelsRise @WCChoops @WCCsports pic.twitter.com/BwXUMptvU1
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 28, 2025
Heads up play by McKeever, the tip-in for the easy deuce!#GaelsRise @WCChoops @WCCsports pic.twitter.com/Z2hDqlGRX7
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 28, 2025
HERE COME THE GAELS! Lewis with the triple, McKeever with his team-high third assist!#GaelsRise @WCChoops @WCCsports pic.twitter.com/NsEdvN0dxl
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 28, 2025
SPLASH!#GaelsRise @WCChoops @WCCsports pic.twitter.com/KtSaAR02W5
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 28, 2025
Mikey is feeling himself, trying to will the Gaels back into this one!#GaelsRise @WCChoops @WCCsports pic.twitter.com/Eoxw88pIKF
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 28, 2025
Despite the double-digit halftime deficit, the Gaels were unfazed to start the second half, opening on a 10-2 run to trim the deficit to single digits. Unfortunately, that was as close as the Gaels would get, as with every bucket they would score, the Commodores seemed to have an immediate answer. After trailing by 17 at the break, the Gaels kept the deficit within 16 for the first 12 minutes and change of the second half, before Vanderbilt eventually ran away with things late, closing the game out on a 15-5 run to finish out the contests with a 96-71 victory. Paulius Murauskas added 14 second half points, with Joshua Dent chipping in six (2-2 FG 2-2 FT) and Dillan Shaw contributing five points and a team-high five boards. The Gaels saw statistical improvements in almost every category in the second half, shooting at 46.2% from the field (42.3% in first) and 37.5% from three (30.8% in first), while holding the Commodores to 47.2% from the field (58.1% in first) and 37.5% from three (45.5% in first). This helped the Gaels claw back into contention early in the frame, but the hill was just too far to climb, as Vanderbilt was able to see out the victory.
Paulius buries his first triple of the day!#GaelsRise @WCChoops @WCCsports pic.twitter.com/o6lwS7nmZy
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 28, 2025
Murauskas buries the baseline jumper, despite the contact!#GaelsRise @WCChoops @WCCsports pic.twitter.com/CcrIHLLX4e
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 28, 2025
Unselfish pass, Paulius to Dillan for the trey ball!#GaelsRise @WCChoops @WCCsports pic.twitter.com/pYq50AdheJ
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 28, 2025
They should just call it the Paulius Murauskas line! Paulius heading back to the strip for the ninth time today, and for the second three point play!#GaelsRise @WCChoops @WCCsports pic.twitter.com/APQCl3s2Mv
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) November 28, 2025
Paulius Murauskas led the charge for the Gaels yet again, with 24 points to go along with four rebounds and a team-high three assists. Continuing to be a load for anyone to defend, Murauskas scored nearly half of his points from the stripe, knocking down 11 of 13 attempts. Mikey Lewis bounced back after being limited to just five points yesterday, scoring 19, knocking down four of seven three point attempts, and reeling in five rebounds. Those two made up 60% of the Gaels scoring today, with no other player reaching double-figures. For the second straight season, the Gaels will finish as runners up in their annual MTE, after taking home second place at the Acrisure Classic a year ago.
CASHING IN THE FREEBIES
For the seventh time this season, the Gaels made it to the free throw line 20 times, drawing 20 Commodore fouls. After their physical play earned them trips to the line, the Gaels were also sure to convert those chances, knocking down their first 15 in a row today, and eventually finishing at 18-20 overall. It is the second time this year that the Gaels have shot 90% or better from the stripe. WCC free throw leader Paulius Murauskas became the first Gael since Logan (15, Feb. 25, 2023 at Gonzaga) to get to the stripe 13 times in one game, and also was the first Gael to bury 11 free throws a game since Johnson in that same game. Mikey Lewis and Joshua Dent were both perfect at the line, going 5-5 and 2-2 respectively, running their percentages for the season to 96.8% and 97.3% respectively. As a team, the Gaels are back over 80% for the season, a pleasant sight to see after Saint Mary's shot sub-70% each of the last three seasons from the stripe.
ANOTHER 70
For the first time since the 2017-18 season, the Gaels have scored 70 or more points in nine straight contests. This is the fifth time in the Bennett era, and 16th time overall that the Gaels have accomplished this feat. The program record for consecutive 70+ games is 16 straight, spanning from January 28, 1977 to December 13 1977 of both the 1976-77 and 1977-78 campaigns.
TOURNAMENT ACCOLADES
Paulius Murauskas and Mikey Lewis were both named to the Battle 4 Atlantis All-Tournament team. Murauskas led the Gaels averaging 21 points per contest and knocking down 24-28 free throw attempts. He was the only Gael to score in double-figures in all three contests, reaching the 20 point mark in the first matchups, before coming up just one point shy of 20 in the championship. Lewis averaged 13 points per game, even more impressive when figuring that he was held to season-low five points against Virginia Tech. More than just a scorer, Lewis also did his part on the boards, as the Gaels top rebounding guard, averaging four per game, and distributed six assists, good for second most for the Gaels for the three game tournament. Joining Lewis and Murauskas on the all-tournament team were Vanderbilt's Jalen Washington, Tyler Tanner, and Tournament MVP Duke Miles.
COACHES CORNER
UP NEXT
After the gauntlet of three games in three days, the Gaels will have no competitions for the next eight days, before returning to the court on Sunday, December 7 in Davidson, North Carolina to take on the Wildcats of Davidson College. Tip off for that contest is set for 2 PM EST / 11 AM PST.
DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME MEN'S BASKETBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE ON SALE HERE.
#GaelsRise
Team Stats
SMC
VU
FG%
.442
.522
3FG%
.333
.421
FT%
.900
.818
RB
30
34
TO
16
7
STL
3
7
Game Leaders
Pts
24
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
11
Pts
19
FGM
5
3FGM
4
FTM
5
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballC
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG/F
/ Men's BasketballMBB | Highlights vs. Vanderbilt, 11-28-25
Friday, November 28
MBB | Randy Bennett Postgame vs. Vanderbilt, 11-28-25, Presented by University Credit Union
Friday, November 28
MBB | Highlights vs. Virginia Tech, 11-27-25
Thursday, November 27
MBB | Randy Bennett and Andrew McKeever Postgame vs. Virginia Tech, 11-27-25, presented by University Credit Union
Thursday, November 27
