Double-double club: Joshua Dent became the third Gael to earn a double-double this season, adding 11 assist to his 16 points. / Photo by Thurman James
Gaels Shine on Both Ends of the Floor, Defeat Oregon State 81–51
On Australian Heritage Night, Joshua Dent scores 16 and picks up his first double-double. Fellow Aussie Harry Wessels and big man Andrew McKeever each go for eight rebounds.
Saint Mary’s enjoyed a wire-to-wire win over the Oregon State Beavers on Wednesday evening, dominating on both sides of the basketball to the tune of an 81–51 victory. The Gaels held the Beavers to a bevy of season-lows offensively, while logging their twelfth 80 point or better scoring night in the dominant performance.
Joshua Dent led the Gaels as both a shot maker and shot creator. On Australian Heritage night, the sophomore Aussie picked up his first career double-double, going for 16 points and 11 assists, both team-highs. Paulius Murauskas added 15 points, six rebounds, and a career-best three blocks, while Mikey Lewis added 12 points and four boards. Aussie big man Harry Wessels performed well in what will be his final Australian Heritage Night as a Gael, going for nine points and eight rebounds. Andrew McKeever also chipped in eight boards.
The Road to a 30 Point Victory
Saint Mary's (18–3, 7–1 West Coast Conference) jumped out to an early 6–0 lead on three pointers from Dillan Shaw and Joshua Dent, and would hold that lead throughout the remainder of the half. Oregon State (10–12, 3–6 WCC) battled to keep things tight, shaving the deficit to one point with 7:35 to go in the opening stanza, but the Gaels doubled up on the Beavs down the stretch, 20–10, to take a 36–25 lead at the break. The offensive rebounding told the story of the first half: The Gaels finished +5 on offensive boards and outscored the Beavs 14–2 on second chance opportunities.
The 11 point halftime lead quickly ballooned to 21, as the Gaels opened up the second half with tenacity on both sides of the court, rattling off a 10–0 run over the first 2:49 of the second stanza. The defensive clamp also remained firmly affixed on Oregon State: The Gaels once again held the Beavers to just seven made field goals in the frame. The Saint Mary's offense continued to deliver, with the Gaels shooting 54% from the field and 50% from three to finish out the 30 point victory.
The rebounds from Saint Mary’s two big men, Harry Wessels and Andrew McKeever, ensured the Gaels a +16 advantage on the glass. Defensively, the Gaels held Oregon State to season lows in points (51), field goals made (14), field goal percentage (28.6%), three pointers made (2), and three point percentage (12.5%). And with his first career double-double, Joshua Dent now joins Andrew McKeever and Paulius Murauskas as Gaels who have recorded a double-double this season.
Up Next: Gaels vs. Pilots
The Gaels hit the road to face their second WCC foe from Oregon this week, as they head to the Chiles Center to take on Portland. That matchup will be on Saturday, January 24 and with tipoff at 5 p.m.. Get tickets and watch the game on ESPN+.
