MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's Men's Basketball faced what could have been its toughest task of the young season on Monday night, as the Gaels hosted Southern Utah. The Thunderbirds were one of the best offensive teams in the country one season ago, ranking inside the top-10 in the NCAA in points per game. The SMC defense returned to its stingy ways on Monday, however, shutting down the offensive attack and helping the Gaels to a 70-51 win. Saint Mary's improves to 3-0 on the campaign while the Thunderbirds drop to 1-2.
DOMINANT DEFENSE
The Saint Mary's defense was as good as it has been all season long on Monday night, as the Gaels held Southern Utah to just 16 points in the first half, the fewest allowed by the Gaels in a half since they limited Colorado State to just 16 in the second half on December 19, 2020, and the fewest in a first half since they held Pacific to 15 on February 21, 2019.