LOS ANGELES — For the second time in as many years, the LMU Lions (16-14, 8-10 WCC) threw everything they had at the Saint Mary's Gaels (26-4, 16-1 WCC) and for the second straight year, the Gaels outlasted the LMU storm, leaving Gersten Pavilion victorious, 58-55. With their 16th win in WCC play, the Gaels have tied the program record for most conference wins in a season.
LMU threw the opening blow in this defensive slugfest, opening the game on a 15-8 run to over the first 10:23. From that point, however, it was all Gaels, using a 13-0 run to flip the script and take a 21-15 lead, eventually extending it out to as large as seven with a minute to play. LMU knocked down a pair of free throws to send the game into the halftime break with the Gaels ahead 24-19. Paulius Murauskas came two points shy of a first half double-double, with eight points and 10 boards, while Mikey Lewis knocked down a pair of threes for six total points. Playing in his program record 151st game, Mitchell Saxen didn't score in the first half, but ripped down six boards and had a team-high three assists. The Gaels dominated on the glass to the tune of a +12 margin.
The Gaels kept their foot on the gas in the second half, extending their lead out to 43-31 with 11:30 minutes to go. At that point, LMU found their footing, however, shaving it down to five points deficit over the next 3:30. A Luke Barrett three put the Gaels back up eight, but LMU kept attacking, three times getting within one bucket, but that's where the margin was aty the end of the game, as the Gaels held onto a 58-55 win. Murauskas added 10 second half points, while Harry Wessels chipped in eight points and six boards. After six first half turnovers, the Gaels cleaned up their act with just two second half giveaways.
Paulius Murauskas notched his 12th double-double of the season, once again tying him for most in the conference. He finished with 18 points and 12 boards, the only Gael to score in double figures. Harry Wessels went for nine points and eight boards, while Augustas Marciulionis scored nine and a team-high three assists in 40 minutes of play. Luke Barrett also played a full 40 in this one, continuing to lead the WCC in minutes played. The Gaels were outshot from the field, from three, from the charity stripe, and last the turnover battle, but finished +17 on the glass, +10 on the offensive glass, and +8 in second chance scoring, the clear reason they were able to hold off the Lions in this one.
THE LEADER OF THE PACK
Paulius Murauskas was the driving force for the Gaels tonight. A bright spot in a game that was largely an offensive struggle, Murauskas scored 18 points on 50% shooting and a 7-7 clip from the charity stripe. He also led the team with 12 rebounds, and tied for the team with three offensive boards. This showing was the 12th double-double for Murauskas this year, tying him once again with Ryan Nembhard of Gonzaga for most double-doubles in the WCC.
PURE DOMINANCE ON THE BOARDS
Saint Mary's finished the night with 43 rebounds, their second highest mark in a WCC contest this year, and with a +17 rebound margin, their third highest total in a conference tilt. Leading the way was Paulius Murauskas with 12 boards, as he continues to pace the WCC in rebounding. Behind him, however, three other Gaels tallied at least six boards; Harry Wessels ripped down eight, tying his career-high mark, Mitchell Saxen had seven in just 19 minutes of play due to foul trouble, and Luke Barrett had six in yet another signature gritty performance. The Gaels rank in the top-25 in the country in rebounding margin, rebounds per game, and offensive rebounds per game, and will likely continue to climb in those ranks after tonight's performance.
MR. GAEL
Tonight marked Mitchell Saxen's 151st game in a Gael uniform, as he surpassed former teammate Alex Ducas for most games ever played for Saint Mary's College. The fifth year senior out of Seattle didn't see as much of the court as he's used two, fouling out with just 19 minutes of play, but still made his impact felt, with four points on 2-3 shooting, seven rebounds and a team-high three assists.
UP NEXT
The Gaels will get Oregon State at home in their regular season finale on Saturday, March 1. As it is the final home game of the year, it will be senior day for Mitchell Saxen, Luke Barrett and Augustas Marciulionis. Tip off is set for 7 PM. Come out and support your Gaels, or watch live on CBS Sports Network.
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