MBB | Gaels Win Defensive Battle Over Northern Iowa, 63-58 to Close Out Non-Conference Play

Monday, December 22

Moraga, CA

7:00 PM

Saint Mary's College of California

11-2,0-0WCC

Northern Iowa

9-3,1-0MVC

UNI

Saint Mary's (CA)

Paulius Murauskas: 20 pts (7-8 FT), 7 reb

Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner

MBB | Gaels Win Defensive Battle Over Northern Iowa, 63-58 to Close Out Non-Conference Play

12/22/2025 10:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's College secured a hard-fought 63-58 victory over the University of Northern Iowa on Monday night at UCU Pavilion. The Gaels capitalized at the free-throw line, converting an impressive 25 of 27 attempts, including 12 straight over the final 6:18 to edge out the Panthers in a closely contested matchup.

Paulius Murauskas led the charge with 20 points, hitting 7 of 8 from the line and snagging seven rebounds. Mikey Lewis chipped in 17 points, shooting flawlessly (6-6) from the charity stripe and pulling down six rebounds. Harry Wessels made his presence felt with three blocks, seven rebounds, and nine points. Joshua Dent added eight points, two steals, and five rebounds, rounding out a strong team effort.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Gaels started with resilience, overcoming an early 12–4 deficit to bring things back to a one score game with a 6-0 run of their own. UNI continued to keep themselves ahead throughout the half until Mikey Lewis connected with Harry Wessels for a layup with 12 seconds left to give Saint Mary's their first lead at 28-27. A Wessels block at the buzzer secured that lead, as the Gaels went into the break ahead by one.

The Gaels used a 9-0 run, capped by a MIkey Lewis triple, in the early part of the second half to extend their lead out to its largest of the game, 44-38. The Panthers refused to go away, however, taking a narrow 58-57 lead with 3:10 to go. That would be the final score of the game for UNI, as the Gaels put the defensive clamps on, and closed things out on a 6-0 run to finish off the gritty win.

Game Notes:

- The Gaels closed both halves on 6-0 runs, pivotal in securing the victory.

- Saint Mary's finishes non-conference play on a high note.

- The Gaels maintained their physical yet disciplined style, drawing 23 fouls while committing just 11.

- For the third time this season, Saint Mary's shot 90% or better from the line.

- A dominant rebounding performance resulted in a +17 advantage, including a +12 edge on offensive boards.

- Murauskas recorded his seventh 20+ point game of the season.

- Dillan Shaw contributed across the board with nine boards, two assists, two steals, and two blocks in a career-high 38 minutes.

- Four Gaels shot four or more free throws, with no one missing more than one.

- The defense excelled, holding Northern Iowa to a season-low 58 points.

- The game was played before a sellout crowd of 3,500 at UCU Pavilion.

- The win marks the Gaels' 17th straight at home, the fourth longest streak in program history.

THE FINAL WORD

Looking ahead, Saint Mary's will take on Loyola Marymount University on Sunday, Dec. 28 at 4 p.m. at Gersten Pavilion in Los Angeles.

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