MBB | Gaels Take Care of Business Against Santa Clara 86-67, Will Play for WCC Title Share Saturday

Wednesday, February 25

Moraga, CA

8:00 PM

Saint Mary's College of California

26-4,15-2WCC

Santa Clara

23-7,14-3WCC

Santa Clara

Saint Mary's (CA)

Dillan Shaw: 11 pts, 14 reb (career-high), 2nd career double-double

Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner

MBB | Gaels Take Care of Business Against Santa Clara 86-67, Will Play for WCC Title Share Saturday

2/25/2026 11:58:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Highlights

MORAGA, Calif. — The Saint Mary's men's basketball team kept it rolling with its seventh consecutive victory, and their 25th consecutive victory at home, defeating Santa Clara 86-67 in front of a sold out crowd Wednesday night. With the win, the Gaels set up an epic showdown Saturday evening, hosting ninth-ranked Gonzaga with a share of the West Coast Conference regular season title on the line, searching for the Gaels' fourth straight.

All five Gaels starters scored in double-figures, led by Mikey Lewis, who dropped 21 points. Lewis also logged a career-high seven assists to just one turnover and four steals in what was arguably his best all around game of the season. Paulius Murauskas (16 pts, 11 reb), Dillan Shaw (11 pts, 14 reb) and Harry Wessels (10 pts, 10 reb) became the first trio of Gaels to record double-doubles in the same game since Luke Barrett, Mitchell Saxen and Paulius Murauskas a year ago. Rounding out the double-digit scoring was Joshua Dent, who chipped in 14 on four made threes, and dished out a team-high eight assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gaels (26-4, 15-2 WCC) came out of the gates hot, jumping out to an early 11-2 lead, connecting on three of their first five three point attempts. Santa Clara (23-7, 14-3 WCC) would eventually find stable ground at the midway point of the first half, but with 4:20 left in the period, the Gaels put the clamps on, surrendering just two points in that stretch, while scoring 13 of their own to take a 42-36 lead into the break. The Gaels owned a +12 rebounding advantage in the half, including 11 first half offensive boards, leading to 15 second-chance points.

Just like the first half, the Gaels stomped on the gas pedal early to start the second half on a 6-0 run, taking their first double-digit lead of the game. They would continue to keep Santa Clara at arms length throughout the game, but with 6:31 remaining, the Gaels embarked on a 14-2 run to really pull away and put any Santa Clara comeback hopes to bed. As the final buzzer sounded, the Gaels walked away with a 19 point victory, 86-67, their largest margin of victory against the Broncos since they defeated them by 24 in 2024.

GAME NOTES

Mikey Lewis continued his recent tear, scoring in double figures for the seventh straight game, matching the streak he opened the season with.
Lewis also either tied or set new career marks tonight in field goals made (8), field goals attempted (18), assists (7), and steals (4).
The Gaels had all five starters score in double-digits for the first time since last season's opener against Towson.
Saint Mary's also logged three double-doubles in a single game for the first time since December 28, 2024 against Pacific.
Dillan Shaw logged a career-best 14 rebounds, four more than his previous high. He logged the second double-double of his freshman season.
Looking at career milestones, Joshua Dent surpassed 400 points for his career, Andrew McKeever surpassed 300 points and Paulius Murauskas grabbed his 500th Saint Mary's rebound, while needing just 10 more points for 1000 in his Saint Mary's career.
The Gaels now have twice held Santa Clara under 70 points, something that only two other teams have done once this season.
Saint Mary's has now guaranteed at least a second place finish in the West Coast Conference for the 19th time in the last 23 seasons.
The Gaels improved their program-record home winning streak to 25 in a row.

THE FINAL WORD

The regular season finale will take place on Saturday, February 28, as the Gaels host ninth-ranked Gonzaga inside UCU Pavilion. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. and can be watched live on ESPN.

#GaelsRise