Aidan Mahaney scored a game-high 25 points Thursday night and No. 23 Saint Mary’s never trailed while beating New Mexico 72-58 in Moraga, Calif.
Mahaney canned 9 of 19 shots and 5 of 10 3-point attempts for the Gaels (2-0), who opened up a double-figure lead just over five minutes into the game while avenging a loss to the Lobos last season. Harry Wessels came off the Saint Mary’s bench to add 12.
Saint Mary’s didn’t shoot especially well — 45.5 percent from the field, 35.3 percent from 3-point range, 64 percent at the foul line — but was never really threatened. The Gaels led by as many as 22 points in the second half and held New Mexico to 37.1 percent shooting from the field.
Donovan Dent scored 15 points for the Lobos (1-1), and Nelly Junior Joseph chipped in 11 points and 13 rebounds. However, Jamal Mashburn Jr., the team’s leading scorer in a Monday win over Texas Southern, converted just 3 of 16 shots from the field and finished with only seven points.
Saint Mary’s halfcourt defense simply didn’t let New Mexico carve it up with ball movement. The Lobos managed only 10 assists and lost the rebounding battle 41-37. The Gaels boasted a 22-12 advantage in bench scoring.
Mahaney came out firing, opening the game with a 3-pointer and scoring seven points in the first 5:02 as Saint Mary’s established a 13-2 lead. Augustas Marciulionis was all over that run as well, assisting on four baskets and making a pair of foul shots.
New Mexico spent the next 11-plus minutes working its way back into contention. It got as close as 29-23 when Mustapha Amzil canned a pair of free throws with 3:45 left in the half.
Mahaney sank a 3-pointer and added a foul shot to finish off a 21-point half as the Gaels created separation. When Wessels stuck back a missed shot with 10 seconds remaining, Saint Mary’s headed for halftime up 40-25.
–Field Level Media
