MBB | Juzenas Shines in Exhibition Shoot Out with Utah State

Saturday, October 17

Moraga, CA

7:00 PM

Saint Mary's College of California

0-0,0-0WCC

Utah State (Exb.)

0-0,0-0Pac-12

Team	1	2	F
Utah St.	44	53	97
Saint Mary's (CA)	34	55	89

Highlights

Mantas Juzenas: 24 pts (5-12 3pt), 8 reb, 3 ast, 2 stls

Photo by: Varun Aravind (@vflicks04)

MBB | Juzenas Shines in Exhibition Shoot Out with Utah State

10/17/2026 10:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Highlights

MORAGA, Calif. — In the first official look at Mickey McConnell's Saint Mary's squad here in 2026, the Gaels showcased some offensive fire power, canning 35 shots, including 13 threes in a hard fought exhibition defeat to Utah State, 97-89. Mantas Juzenas made a team-high eight field goals and five three pointers, showcasing to fans that he is ready to take the next step in his career as one of the Gaels go-to scorers, while newcomer Vangelis Zougris added 12 points and 14 boards for a hard fought double-double down low.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gaels clawed back from an early 20-10 deficit to, going on an incredible 12-0 run in just 90 seconds, taking their first lead at 22-20. True freshman Darius Bivins sparked that run with a pair of buckets to jolt the Gaels' offense to life. Saint Mary's would hold a one possession lead until the 2:30 mark of the first half, where the score leveled off at 34 apiece. From there however, Utah State regained momentum going into the halftime break, on a 10-0 run, matching their largest lead of the half, 44-34.

The scoring continued to come in flurries for both sides, with the Gaels opening the second half on a 19-10 run to cut the deficit to just one point at the 14 minute mark. Mantas Juzenas buried a pair of early threes and a layup in those opening six minutes of the second stanza, beginning to really find his offensive footing after scoring just seven points in the first half. Utah State would respond with scoring spurts, but never could throw a major knockout blow against the Gaels, who with 2:48 to go, trailed by just eight. That, however, is exactly where the scoreline would finish, as the Aggies were able to outlast the Gaels, 97-89.

GAME NOTES

Saint Mary's knocked down 35 field goals tonight, more than in any single game a season ago.
Mantas Juzenas boomed for 24 points, with 17 of those coming in the second half.
The Kaunas, Lithuania native scored in double figures just twice last year, but showed that he is ready to see double-digit scoring numbers night in and night out this year.
The Gaels held a +12 advantage on the glass, including an incredible +13 offensive rebounding margin.
Vangelis Zougris drove that effort with 14 boards, including 10 offensive, while all seven of Jazz Gardner's rebounds were of the offensive variety.
Zougris finished with 12 points to go along with his 14 rebounds for a gritty double-double.
Darius Bivins and Rory Hawke rounded out the double-digit scoring for the Gaels with 11 points each.
Bivins played a team-high 33 minutes in his de-facto collegiate debut, while Hawke buried 3-4 three pointers after making just four all of last season.

UP NEXT
The Gaels will now shift their focus to the official season opener on Nov. 2, hosting the Illinois State Redbirds for a Monday night clash. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Get your tickets now at smcgaels.com/tickets, or stream the game live on ESPN+.

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