A force to be reckoned with: Mantas Juzenas broke scoring records playing this summer in Europe. Look for him to be one of the Gaels’ go-to scorers this season. / Photo by Varun Aravind for SMC Athletics
Offensive Firepower on the Maplewood: Mantas Juzenas Shines in Exhibition Shootout with Utah State
Saturday offered a first look at Mickey McConnell’s squad. In a hard-fought 97–89 loss, Juzenas led the Gaels with 24 points, including five three-pointers. Vangelis Zougris racked up a double-double. Darius Bivins and Rory Hawke scored 11 each.
In the first official look at Head Coach Mickey McConnell’s Saint Mary’s squad here in 2026, the Gaels showcased some offensive firepower on Saturday night at the UCU Pavilion, canning 35 shots, including 13 threes in a hard fought exhibition defeat to Utah State, 97–89. Mantas Juzenas made a team-high eight field goals and five three-pointers, showcasing to fans that he is ready to take the next step in his career as one of the Gaels’ go-to scorers. Newcomer Vangelis Zougris added 12 points and 14 boards for a double-double down low. Darius Bivins and Rory Hawke rounded out the double-digit scoring for the Gaels with 11 points each.
The Gaels clawed back from an early 20–10 deficit, going on an incredible 12–0 run in just 90 seconds, taking their first lead at 22–20. True freshman Darius Bivins sparked that run with a pair of buckets to jolt the Gaels’ offense to life. Saint Mary’s held a one possession lead until the 2:30 mark of the first half, where the score leveled off at 34 apiece. From there however, Utah State regained momentum going into the halftime break on a 10–0 run, closing the frame at 44–34.
The scoring continued to come in flurries for both sides in the second half, with the Gaels opening with a 19–10 run to cut the deficit to just one point at the 14 minute mark. Mantas Juzenas buried a pair of threes and a layup in those opening six minutes of the second stanza, beginning to really find his offensive footing after scoring just seven points in the first half. Utah State responded with scoring spurts of their own, but never could throw a major knockout blow against the Gaels, who with 2:48 to go, trailed by just eight. That, however, is where the scoreline would finish: Aggies 97, Gaels 89.
Gaels Dominate on the Glass
Saint Mary’s has a fierce reputation when it comes to rebounding, and the Gaels were true to form Saturday night: They held a +12 advantage on the glass, including an incredible +13 offensive rebounding margin. Athens, Greece native Vangelis Zougris drove that effort with 14 boards, including ten offensive. Seven-footer Jazz Gardner, another newcomer to the Gaels this season, added seven rebounds—all of the offensive variety.
Darius Bivins, who arrives at Saint Mary’s having earned distinction as a McDonald’s All-American recruit, played a team-high 33 minutes in his de-facto collegiate debut. Veteran Gael Rory Hawke had a high mark as well: He buried three of four three-pointers after making just four all of last season.
Up Next: Official Season Opener on November 2
The Gaels shift their focus to the official season opener on November 2, when they host the Illinois State Redbirds for a Monday night clash. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at UCU Pavilion. Get your tickets now at smcgaels.com/tickets, or stream the game live on ESPN+.
