Feb. 18, 2004

Box Score

(San Diego, CA) - The visiting Saint Mary's Gaels, needing a win to keep pace with Pepperdine for second place in the WCC standings, soundly defeated the USD Toreros 87-67. With the win SMC improves to 7-4 in league play and 16-10 overall; the Toreros drop to 1-10 and 4-22. Gael guard Paul Marigney poured in 17 of his game-high 25 points in the first half as Saint Mary's took a commanding 51-37 halftime lead. SMC converted 19-of-26 field goals during the half for a 73.1% clip.

Saint Mary's used a balanced offensive attack the rest of the way with Daniel Kickert (16 points), E. J. Rowland (16 points) and Tyler Herr (11 points) also connecting for double digit points. The Gaels converted a blistering 61.5% of their shots (32-52), 43.5% of their treys (10-23) and 81.3% of their charities (13-16). San Diego, which was paced by Nick Lewis with 18 points, had four players reach double-digits. Lewis was followed by Brandon Gay (13 points), Brett Melton (12 points) and Brice Vounang (11 points). Vounang left the game with about 12 minutes to go with a right knee injury and did not return.

San Diego will host San Francisco this Saturday in their final home game of the season, while the Gaels head to Santa Clara Saturday for a 7 pm tilt.