MBB | Offensive Efficiency On Display Again as Gaels Down UIC 84-61

Friday, November 13

Moraga, CA

7:00 PM

Saint Mary's College of California

3-1,0-0WCC

UIC

3-1,0-0MVC

Team	1	2	F
UIC	24	37	61
Saint Mary's (CA)	42	42	84

Highlights

Darius Bivins: 20 pts (9-12 FG, 2-4 3pt) 5 reb 4 ast

Photo by: Varun Aravind (@vflicks04)

11/13/2026 10:42:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Highlights

MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's was once again able to showcase their offensive firepower on Friday night, defeating the UIC Flames 84-61 to move to 3-1 on the year and extend its home unbeaten streak to 29 in a row. The Gaels shot 50% or better from the field for the third time this season, while also burying double-digit three pointers for the third time in what was a strong 40 minute effort.

True freshman Darius Bivins continued to turn heads, recording his first collegiate 20 point contest, and doing so with ultra efficiency, connecting on 9-of-12 field goal attempts, including 2-of-4 three point attempts. Bivins also was able to showcase his versatility and playmaking ability with five rebounds and four assists to just one turnover over his 27 minutes of action. Mantas Juzenas logged his second double-double of the season, going for 14 points and 10 boards, while Vangelis Zougris joined Juzenas and Bivins in double-figures with 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Point guard Joshua Dent took a back seat on the scoring front after his 30 against Nevada this past Sunday, but went for 10 assists and just one turnover as the maestro of the Gaels' offense.

HOW IT HAPPENED
This highly anticipated mid-major showdown lived up to the billing for the first 10 minutes of play, as both teams played to a 17-17 deadlock at the midway point of the first half. The Gaels, however, were able to put on the defensive clamps from that point on, making life tough for every UIC player to touch the floor, closing out the half on a 25-7 run. Seven different Gaels scored in that epic 10 minute run, led by 10 points from true freshman Darius Bivins, giving him 16 points in the half on a perfect 7-for-7 clip. Mantas Juzenas added 11 points in the half, while point guard Joshua Dent had assists on six of the Gaels' 16 made baskets. More impressively, the Gaels pounded UIC on the glass in the first half, owning a +11 rebounding advantage, helping lead to a +10 second chance scoring advantage.

The Gaels kept the pedal to the metal in half number two, and with 2:35 remaining in the contest picked up their first 30 point lead at 81-51. UIC would chip away at the deficit over the final 150 seconds, but when the dust all settled, the Gaels walked away with a decisive 84-61 win. Vangelis Zougris led the Gael attack in the second half, scoring all 12 of his points in the second stanza. Head Coach Mickey McConnell was able to get every active player on the floor Friday night for the second time in four games this season, as no Gael exceeded 28 minutes of action tonight.

GAME NOTES

Saint Mary's won its 29th consecutive home game, adding to their program record tally that still ranks fourth longest in the country.
While the Gaels' streak of 90 point scoring efforts came to an end, they have now scored at least 80 in their first four games for the second consecutive year.
The Gaels' defense had their best showing of the year, limiting the Flames to 36.4% from the field and 27.8% from three.
Saint Mary's also held a season-best +15 rebound margin tonight.
Darius Bivins dropped a career-high 20, the earliest a freshman has scored 20 in a game for Saint Mary's since Aidan Mahaney scored 25 in his collegiate debut against Oral Roberts (Nov. 7, 2022).
Mantas Juzenas logged his second collegiate double-double with 14 points and 10 boards, as he continues to average a double-double on the season (16.8 PPG, 10 RPG)
Vangelis Zougris scored 12 points, all in the second half, and continues to be close to automatic around the rim, shooting 76.9% from the field for the year.
Joshua Dent came up one point shy of a double-double, but reached double-digit assists for the fourth time in his career.

QUOTABLE

UP NEXT
The Gaels will continue on their four game homestand, hosting Portland State on Monday, November 16. Tip-off for that contest is set for 7 p.m. Get your tickets at smcgaels.com/tickets or stream the game live on ESPN+.

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