MBB | Gaels Down Under: Day 5 & 6
8/16/2026 12:27:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MELBOURNE, Australia – The Saint Mary's men's basketball team arrived in Melbourne for their second leg of the Australian Foreign Tour on Friday night. After spending the first four days of the trip in Sydney, the first full day in Melbourne involved recovery and an AFL game Saturday night.
On Sunday, the Gaels faced their third straight NBL team to start the tour, this time against the S.E. Melbourne Phoenix at the State Basketball Centre.
The Gaels were up against one of their strongest opponents of the tour, as the Phoenix applied aggressive full court pressure and played a majority of their top players, leading to an 86-64 win for S.E. Melbourne.
Overall, Vangelis Zougris led all scorers with 20 points and added eight rebounds. Zougris was efficient from the floor, going 7-for-9, including 2-for-2 from 3-point range.
Jazz Gardner scored 11 points coming off the bench, Joshua Dent added nine points and Darius Bivins had six assists.
Saint Mary's faced a couple familiar faces on the S.E. Melbourne squad, as both Tanner Krebs and Jordan Hunter started for the Phoenix.
Former Gaels in attendance included current Atlanta Hawks center Jock Landale and Kyle Bowen, who plays for Melbourne United in the NBL. Former Saint Mary's women's basketball players were also in attendance, including Maddy Holland, Leia Hannafin and Hannah Rapp.
On Saturday, the Gaels were joined at practice by current Australian National Team head coach and Washington Wizards assistant coach Adam Caporn. Caporn was the first Australian to join the Gaels as a player in 2001.
Saint Mary's returns to action on Monday night at 6:30 p.m. when they face the Dandenong Rangers of the NBL1. Monday's game will not be livestreamed.
SAINT MARY'S DOWN UNDER GAME SCHEDULE
Thursday, Aug. 13 - Illawarra Hawks 95, Saint Mary's 78
Friday, Aug. 14 - Saint Mary's 85,. Sydney Kings 72
Sunday, Aug. 16 - SE Melbourne Phoenix 86, Saint Mary's 64
Monday, Aug. 17 - 6:30 p.m. vs. Dandenong Rangers
Wednesday, Aug. 19 - 6:30 p.m. vs. Cairns Taipans
(All times Australian Standard Time)
On Sunday, the Gaels faced their third straight NBL team to start the tour, this time against the S.E. Melbourne Phoenix at the State Basketball Centre.
The Gaels were up against one of their strongest opponents of the tour, as the Phoenix applied aggressive full court pressure and played a majority of their top players, leading to an 86-64 win for S.E. Melbourne.
Overall, Vangelis Zougris led all scorers with 20 points and added eight rebounds. Zougris was efficient from the floor, going 7-for-9, including 2-for-2 from 3-point range.
Jazz Gardner scored 11 points coming off the bench, Joshua Dent added nine points and Darius Bivins had six assists.
Saint Mary's faced a couple familiar faces on the S.E. Melbourne squad, as both Tanner Krebs and Jordan Hunter started for the Phoenix.
Former Gaels in attendance included current Atlanta Hawks center Jock Landale and Kyle Bowen, who plays for Melbourne United in the NBL. Former Saint Mary's women's basketball players were also in attendance, including Maddy Holland, Leia Hannafin and Hannah Rapp.
On Saturday, the Gaels were joined at practice by current Australian National Team head coach and Washington Wizards assistant coach Adam Caporn. Caporn was the first Australian to join the Gaels as a player in 2001.
Saint Mary's returns to action on Monday night at 6:30 p.m. when they face the Dandenong Rangers of the NBL1. Monday's game will not be livestreamed.
SAINT MARY'S DOWN UNDER GAME SCHEDULE
Thursday, Aug. 13 - Illawarra Hawks 95, Saint Mary's 78
Friday, Aug. 14 - Saint Mary's 85,. Sydney Kings 72
Sunday, Aug. 16 - SE Melbourne Phoenix 86, Saint Mary's 64
Monday, Aug. 17 - 6:30 p.m. vs. Dandenong Rangers
Wednesday, Aug. 19 - 6:30 p.m. vs. Cairns Taipans
(All times Australian Standard Time)
#GaelsDownUnder
Players Mentioned
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Wednesday, March 25
Thursday, March 19
Wednesday, March 18
