Player of the Game: Paulius Murauskas recorded a double-double in his Saint Mary’s debut, with 14 points and 13 rebounds, and shot 50% from the field. / Photo by Tod Fierner for SMC Athletics
Men’s Basketball Opens Season with a Well Balanced Attack and a 76–69 Victory Over Towson
Six Gaels hit double figures. Three score 14 points: Luke Barrett, Paulius Murauskas, and Jordan Ross.
Heading into the start of the 2024-25 Saint Mary's Men’s Basketball campaign, many fans wondered who will be the go-to guy for this year's Gaels. One game in, and that question still remains unanswered, as six different Gaels scored in double digits as Saint Mary's used their well-balanced attack to best the Towson Tigers, 76–69.
A trio of Gaels—Luke Barrett, Paulius Murauskas, and Jordan Ross—all scored 14 points, with Barrett racking up 11 rebounds and Murauskas 14, giving them double-doubles to begin the season. Murauskas shot 50% from the field and earned accolades as the Saint Mary’s Player of the Game.
Center and Defending West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year Mitchell Saxen added an ultra efficient 12 points on a perfect 5–5 shooting from the field and 2–2 from the charity stripe, despite only playing 23 minutes due to foul trouble. Defending WCC Player of the Year Augustas Marciulionis went for 10 points and eight assists to just one turnover. And freshman Mikey Lewis, in his collegiate debut, scored 10 points in just 12 minutes of play.
This marks the fourth straight year that the Gaels have won their season opener. For Head Coach Randy Bennett, it also brings his record for 24 season openers to 22–2. Take the Lead and Don’t Let Go
The Towson Tigers threw the first blow, building an early 7–1 lead in the first 90 seconds. The Gaels responded with a 10–0 run, with all 10 points coming in the paint. Saint Mary's did not relinquish the lead for the remainder of the half, extending the margin to 13 points with 3:30 remaining in the frame. The Tigers finished out the half with a little bit of momentum, bringing the deficit to just nine at the halftime break at 37–28.
Familiar faces to Gaels fans, Jordan Ross and Luke Barrett, each scored eight to pace SMC, while newcomer Paulius Murauskas ripped down seven first half boards. Saint Mary's shot 54% from the field in the opening stanza, including an impressive 71% in the paint, leading to 20 of their 37 points being scored from within the key.
The Gaels extended their lead out to 15 when Mitchell Saxen, parked down low in the post, found an open Augustas Marciulionis, who buried a shot from the perimeter six minutes into the frame, pushing the Gaels ahead 51–36. The Tigers came roaring back, however, as over the next 90 seconds, Saxen and Murauskas each picked up their fourth fouls. Towson closed the gap a bit on a 5–0 run, but a pair of layups by Harry Wessels and Mikey Lewis, plus an Augustas Marciulionis free throw, extended the lead right back to 15.
Still, the Tigers kept the pressure on the Gaels, cutting the deficit three times to six, and once to four. But the early deficit was too much to overcome, as Saint Mary's knocked down three of four free throws late to ice the game. Paulius Murauskas continued his ferocious rebounding, with six more second half boards, while adding 10 points, playing the entire half. Augustas Marciulionis and Luke Barrett also played the entire 20 minutes of the second half, with Barrett adding six more points, and Marciulionis assisting on five buckets to go along with four points of his own. While the Gaels were outscored in the second half, their tremendous rebounding and strong free throw shooting helped them close the game out.
Double Figures and a Rising Star
WIth six players in double figures, the Gaels matched a feat that they only accomplished once last season, also in their opener. That said, last season's opener came against Division II Stanislaus State, a much different opponent than the Towson team they faced Monday night—with four returning starters from a 20-win season a year ago.
The Gaels also recorded a double double-double, with Paulius Murauskas and Luke Barrett both picking up their first collegiate double-doubles. Saint Mary's accomplished this feat three times last season, against Northern Kentucky, San Diego, and Pepperdine. Augustas Marciulionis had a solid game, with 10 points and eight assists, but was just two assists shy of helping the Gaels to the coveted triple double-double.
In scoring his 10 points, Mikey Lewis showed a keen ability tonight to score both inside and out, as well as to draw contact and knock down free throws. He also became the third straight freshman to score in double figures in a season opener for the Gaels. Last year, Rory Hawke scored 13 points off the bench on 4–5 shooting and 3–3 shooting from three. Two seasons ago, it was Aidan Mahaney who dropped 25 against Oral Roberts.
Hands off, Tigers!
Saint Mary's drew 25 fouls against the aggressive Towson squad—and the Gaels made them pay, to the tune of 22–29 shooting from the free throw line. Mitchell Saxen and Paulius Murauskas each went 2–2, while Augustas Marciulionis shot 5–6. Jordan Ross (6–8), Luke Barrett (4–6), and Mikey Lewis (3–4) also had solid showings at the stripe.
The Gaels will get back at it on Thursday, November 7, as they welcome in Chattanooga. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. inside UCU Pavilion.
