MBB | Huge Second Half Charges Gaels to 93-76 Victory Over Seattle U

Sunday, January 4

Moraga, CA

5:00 PM

Saint Mary's College of California

15-2,4-0WCC

Seattle U

12-5,1-3WCC

Seattle U

Saint Mary's (CA)

Harry Wessels: 15 pts (6-10 FG, 3-3 FT) 7 reb, 2 blks

Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner

MBB | Huge Second Half Charges Gaels to 93-76 Victory Over Seattle U

1/4/2026 8:58:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's secured a commanding 93-76 victory over Seattle U on Sunday at UCU Pavilion. The Gaels physically dominated the Redhawks to the tune of a +27 rebounding advantage, +15 second chance scoring advantage and a +14 paint scoring advantage, helping them overcome a halftime deficit in the 17 point victory.

Paulius Murauskas was unstoppable with 30 points and 15 rebounds, both tying his career-highs to lead the charge for the Gaels. Dillan Shaw continued to play like a veteran, despite his true freshman status, scoring 20 points, sinking six 3-pointers, and adding seven rebounds, six assists and no turnovers. Harry Wessels contributed 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocks, while Joshua Dent orchestrated the offense with nine assists while never coming off the floor.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Seattle U (12-5, 1-3 WCC) made it clear in the early going that defeating the Redhawks would be no easy feat. After the Gaels (15-2, 4-0 WCC) took early leads at 2-0, 4-2 and 6-4, the Redhawks drained their first three and were off and running. They would relinquish the lead just one more time in the first half, when Liam Campbell buried a three at the 5:45 mark to bring the score to 26-25 Gaels, but a quick 8-0 Redhawks run would push them right back in front. With two seconds remaining, Seattle U matched their largest lead at eight points, but a Dillan Shaw half court heave at the buzzer would give Saint Mary's some momentum heading into the break down by five.

DILLAN SHAW, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN 🗣️#GaelsRise #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/uFB6cMfWDl
— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) January 5, 2026

The Gaels began to chisel away at the Redhawks lead in the early parts of the second half, and would take their first lead of the second frame as part of an 8-0 run, pushing out in front 61-56 with 10:53 to go. The Redhawks would twice cut the deficit to three points, but could never get back in front against the Gaels inside the raucous UCU Pavilion. Over the final 4:30 of the game, the Gaels would close things out on a 18-5 run to turn what was a five point halftime deficit into a 17 point victory.

Game Notes:

- Murauskas recorded his second collegiate 30-point game and first of the season, leading the Gaels' offense.

- The Kaunas, Lithuania native also matched his career-high with 15 rebounds, marking his third double-double of the season.

- Shaw hit a career-high 20 points, making six of eight 3-pointers.

- The freshman also set a personal best with six assists, committing no turnovers.

- The Gaels shot over 50% from the field for the third time in four games, maintaining a 52% field goal clip in WCC play.

- At 52.9% from beyond the arc, Saint Mary's set a new season-high, their best in two years.

- Scoring 50 points in the paint, the Gaels achieved a season-best.

- The Gaels did an excellent job defending without fouling, limiting Seattle U to just seven free throw attempts.

- Dent played all 40 minutes, setting a career-high with nine assists.

- This was the Gaels' first win this season when trailing at halftime.

THE FINAL WORD

Up next, the Gaels will face Washington State at University Credit Union Pavilion in Moraga, California, on Saturday, Jan. 10, with a 2 p.m. tip-off.

DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME MEN'S BASKETBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE ON SALE HERE.

#GaelsRise