Sharp-Shooting Gaels Defeat Cougars

BYU vs. Saint Mary's Box Score

MORAGA, Calif. – In its first-ever West Coast Conference game the BYU men’s basketball team dropped a 98-82 decision to Saint Mary’s on Thursday at McKeon Pavilion.

A 13-0 run in the early second half pushed the Gaels’ lead to 66-45 four minutes into the second frame with BYU (11-4, 0-1) going four minutes without a point. Saint Mary’s (12-2, 1-0) led by as many as 22 points at 71-49 with 14 minutes remaining.

The Cougars chipped away, using a 10-2 run to bring the margin down to 10 points at 80-70, but a controversial charging call against BYU forward Brandon Davies halted the run, with the Gaels scoring six-straight to retake control of the game.

Davies was the bright spot for the Cougars, scoring 28 points, a new career high, shooting 11 of 18 with a career-high five steals and seven rebounds.

Saint Mary’s, shooting .340 from the 3-point line coming into the game, converted 12 of 25 3-point shots while shooting 54.4 percent from the field and 24 of 30 from the free throw line.

Saint Mary’s pulled ahead in a close first half with a 10-2 run right before halftime to go into the half up, 53-43.

Freshman Matt Carlino and senior Noah Hartsock contributed 13 points apiece with Hartsock adding five rebounds and Carlino with six assists.

BYU continues WCC play against San Diego on Saturday at home in the Marriott Center. Game time is set for 4 p.m. MT and will be broadcast live on BYUtv and KSL Newsradio.