ANAHEIM, Calif. — For the first time since 2017, Saint Mary's Men's Basketball opened play in the Paycom Wooden Legacy, a tournament in honor of one of the greatest collegiate coaches of all-time. Saint Mary's drew Vanderbilt in the opening game, which led to a tough, physical matchup between the WCC and SEC. Despite Vandy closing in and making the game close in the second half, the Gaels were able to pull away and clinch a spot in the title game by virtue of their 75-65 win. SMC is now 5-0 while Vanderbilt drops to 2-3.
DOWN LOW EARLY
The early part of the game was playing in the post by Saint Mary's, as Vanderbilt failed to make any adjustments to the Gaels big man, Mitchell Saxen.