MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's (17-6, 8-0 WCC) got off to a blazing start against the Santa Clara Broncos (15-8, 6-2 WCC) and were able to weather a late storm en route to an 82-77 victory. After a commanding first half from the Gaels, Santa Clara rallied to cut the deficit from 25 to four in the final minute, but the mountain was too tall to climb for the Broncos, as the Gaels walked away with the five-point victory.
In deja vu fashion from their last meeting, the Gaels got of a red hot start on both ends of the floor, building an early 16-0 run sparked by Augustas Marciulionis (7 points) and Joshua Jefferson (6 points), while holding Santa Clara to 0-9 from the field and forcing six turnovers over the first 7:30 of the game.