Saint Mary's showcased its potent offense, led by Joshua Dent's 26 points, as the Gaels defeated Washington State 88-82 at the University Credit Union Pavilion. The win marked another impressive performance for Saint Mary's, which improved to 19-3 on the season. Washington State, meanwhile, fell to 9-13, despite a strong effort from Ace Glass, who finished with 24 points and 6 rebounds.
The Gaels came out firing, taking a 50-38 lead into halftime. Paulius Murauskas and Mikey Lewis joined Dent in double figures, with 24 and 20 points, respectively. Murauskas also added 6 rebounds and 6 assists, demonstrating his all-around skillset. The trio's combined 70 points accounted for nearly 80% of Saint Mary's total output, highlighting their importance to the team's success.
Washington State refused to back down, however, and mounted a second-half charge. The Cougars outscored Saint Mary's 44-38 in the final 20 minutes, with Glass and ND Okafor leading the way. Okafor chipped in 14 points and 7 rebounds, while Eemeli Yalaho added 12 points. Despite their best efforts, the Cougars were unable to overcome the deficit, ultimately falling by 6 points.
The game featured a high level of intensity and physicality, with both teams creating scoring opportunities through their athleticism and skill. Saint Mary's ability to maintain its lead, despite Washington State's second-half push, was a reflection of the Gaels' resilience and depth.
This matchup had real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes. For Saint Mary's, the win marked a Quadrant 3 victory, which, while not as valuable as a Q1 or Q2 win, still helps to bolster the Gaels' already strong profile. With a current NET ranking of 30, Saint Mary's continues to position itself for a potential at-large bid. On the other hand, Washington State's loss, although a Quadrant 1 defeat, does little to enhance the Cougars' slim tournament hopes. Currently ranked 150th in the NET, Washington State must string together several impressive wins to climb back into contention.
The outcome of this game underscores the challenges faced by Washington State as it navigates its schedule. Despite having talented players like Glass and Okafor, the Cougars struggle to consistently compete with top-tier teams like Saint Mary's. For the Gaels, this win serves as another building block in their pursuit of a tournament berth. As the season progresses, Saint Mary's want to continue its strong play and solidify its position as a legitimate contender.