MORAGA, CA – Holding a 56 to 36 advantage in field goal percentage, Saint Mary's (11-4, 1-0 WCC) defeated the University of San Diego men's basketball team (7-8, 0-1 WCC) on Thursday, 85-58.
 
Sophomore Wayne McKinney III scored 14 points in the loss, including 8-of-9 from the free throw line.
 
Sophomore Bendji Pierre registered a career-high 14 points, shooting 6-of-8 from the floor.
 
Graduate guard Eric Williams Jr. added 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
 
USD drops to 7-8 on the season, and will continue WCC play at San Francisco on Saturday.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Saint Mary's jumped out to a 21-9 lead, including a 16-3 run.
• After McKinney completed a three-point play, the Gaels answered with a 13-0 run to take a 34-12 advantage.
• Two buckets from both Bendji Pierre and Marcellus Earlington chopped the deficit to 14 with just over five minutes to play in the first half.
• USD allowed just one basket in the final two minutes, but trailed 42-26 at halftime.
• Saint Mary's opened the second half with a 9-2 run. USD responded with five straight free throws, including three from Williams and two from McKinney to make it 51-33.
• Using a 10-0 run later in the second half, SMC secured its largest lead of 31.
• Deuce Turner knocked down two triples in the final four minutes, but SMC held on for the win.    

 
TORERO TIDBITS

• McKinney's 14 points were one off his season high (15 vs. Longwood).
• Pierre doubled his previous best at San Diego (7 points at Arizona State).
• Jawara is up to 979 career points. He is averaging 12.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.
• Williams Jr. is averaging 15.1 points per game and a team-high 10.4 rebounds per game. He leads the WCC in rebounding and double-doubles.
• Saint Mary's held a 46-28 advantage in the paint.
• The Toreros continued their stellar free throw shooting, making 11-of-12 attempts (92%). USD is 57-of-69 over the last three games (82.6%).

 
UP NEXT
San Diego will travel to San Francisco on Saturday for a 4:00 PM matchup. The Dons hold a 49-40 lead in the all-time series, including five straight wins.