The Pacific Tigers, led by Elias Ralph's 17 points and 12 rebounds, came out strong in the first half, taking a 30-28 lead into the break, with TJ Wainwright and Jaden Clayton each scoring 12 points to pace the Tigers' offense, which shot 40% from the field in the first 20 minutes. However, the Saint Mary's Gaels, fueled by Paulius Murauskas' 32 points and 14 rebounds, dominated the second half, outscoring Pacific 44-31 to secure the 72-61 win. The Gaels' 44 second-half points were a result of their 55% shooting from the field, including 5-10 from three-point range, with Murauskas scoring 20 of his 32 points in the half. Pacific, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm, shooting just 35% from the field in the second half, including 2-10 from three-point range.
The Gaels' strong second-half performance was a continuation of their recent trend, as they have averaged 78.8 points per game over their last 5 contests, outscoring their opponents by an average of 15.6 points per game, with a 4-1 record in that stretch. Saint Mary's has been led by Murauskas, who has averaged 25.4 points and 12.2 rebounds per game over the last 5 games, including a 32-point, 14-rebound performance against Pacific. The Tigers, on the other hand, have averaged 73.8 points per game over their last 5 contests, but have struggled defensively, allowing an average of 65.4 points per game, with a 3-2 record in that stretch. Pacific's recent form has been inconsistent, with wins over Loyola Marymount and Portland, but losses to Santa Clara and San Francisco, highlighting their need to improve defensively if they hope to make a push for the NCAA tournament.
Saint Mary's Paulius Murauskas Scores 32 Points, Grabs 14 Rebounds in Win Over Pacific
Murauskas was the clear star of the game, hitting big shots and grabbing crucial rebounds late, including a dunk with 2:30 remaining to put the Gaels up by 10 points. He was joined by Joshua Dent, who scored 15 points and dished out 8 assists, and Mikey Lewis, who added 10 points off the bench, including 2-3 from three-point range. For Pacific, Ralph was a force to be reckoned with, but he received little help from his supporting cast, with Wainwright and Clayton combining for just 10 points in the second half, as the Tigers' offense struggled to find consistency. The Gaels' bench outscored the Tigers' bench 15-8, with Lewis and Augustas Marciulionis combining for 15 points, highlighting the depth and versatility of the Saint Mary's roster.
The CHD Scout prediction of a Saint Mary's win by 8 points was accurate, as the Gaels' strong second-half performance propelled them to the 11-point victory.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The prediction was correct because Saint Mary's was able to exploit Pacific's defensive weaknesses, particularly in the second half, when they shot 55% from the field and scored 44 points. The Gaels' ability to adjust their offense and find open shooters was a key factor in their success, as they were able to stretch the Pacific defense and create scoring opportunities. Additionally, the Gaels' defense was able to limit Pacific's offense, holding them to just 35% shooting from the field in the second half, including 2-10 from three-point range, highlighting the Gaels' ability to make adjustments and shut down their opponents' offense.
The win for Saint Mary's has real consequences for their NCAA tournament resume, as they improve to 23-4 on the season and bolster their case for a high seed in the tournament. The Gaels' Quad 2 win over Pacific, who is ranked 100th in the NET rankings, is a quality win that will help to strengthen their resume, particularly given the Tigers' recent form, which has seen them average 73.8 points per game over their last 5 contests. The Gaels' ability to win on the road, particularly in a hostile environment like the Alex G. Spanos Center, is a reflection of their toughness and resilience, and will be an important factor in their tournament seeding.
The loss for Pacific, on the other hand, is a setback for their tournament hopes, as they fall to 17-11 on the season and suffer a Quad 1 loss. The Tigers' NET ranking of 100 will likely drop as a result of the loss, making it even more difficult for them to earn an at-large bid to the tournament. However, Pacific still has a chance to make a push for the tournament, particularly if they can win their remaining games and make a deep run in the conference tournament. The Tigers' recent form has been inconsistent, but they have shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in their wins over Loyola Marymount and Portland, highlighting their potential to make a late-season surge.
In the end, the Saint Mary's win over Pacific was a reflection of the Gaels' strength and depth, as they were able to overcome a strong first-half performance from the Tigers and dominate the second half. The Gaels' ability to adjust their offense and find open shooters was a key factor in their success, as they were able to stretch the Pacific defense and create scoring opportunities. The win improves the Gaels' record to 23-4 on the season, and bolsters their case for a high seed in the NCAA tournament. With their strong recent form and quality win over Pacific, the Gaels are poised to make a deep run in the tournament, and will be a team to watch in the coming weeks.