Gaels Win Double Overtime Instant Classic over UNLV

In a game that epitomized the “Gritty not Pretty” mantra of Saint Mary's Men's Basketball, the Gaels outlasted the University of Nevada Las Vegas Runnin' Rebels 69–67 in double overtime fashion. Neither team ever found their rhythm offensively, but timely buckets down the stretch for the Gaels forced the extra frame and eventually earned them a chance to win the game. With less than 10 seconds remaining, Jordan Ross sprinted down the court and connected with Mitchell Saxen for the game winning layup as time expired.

Saint Mary’s controlled what was an extremely ugly first half for both sides, taking a 20–14 lead into the halftime break. Neither team shot better than 25% from the field, and combined to go 0–12 from beyond the arc. The Gaels took their first lead at the 16:00 mark on a Mitchell Saxen put back, and they went on to lead for 14 of the final 16 minutes of the half. The biggest difference in the contest was the Gaels’ incredible rebounding prowess, out rebounding the Runnin' Rebels 36–17, led by Saxen, who ripped down eight. He added five points to go along with his eight boards to lead the Gaels in the half. 

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Foul Trouble

The Gaels seemed to maintain control in the second half, extending their lead to as many as 11 points. But they lost three starters—Joshua Jefferson, Aidan Mahaney, and Augustas Marciulionis, who all fouled out—in the final six minutes of regulation, leaving the door open for the Rebels to mount a comeback. UNLV seemed to have the Gaels on the ropes in both overtime periods, but Mitchell Saxen and Alex Ducas, the Gaels’ two remaining starters, willed them back into the contest, and set them up to ultimately earn the win. 

Mitchell Saxen was an unstoppable force for the Gaels, coming up with a career-high 23 points and 16 rebounds, as part of a Gaels 68 rebound night. Alex Ducas chipped in 11 points, six of which came in the two overtime periods, while Joshua Jefferson came up one bucket short of his second consecutive double-double, with a solid eight points and 11 rebounds. The Gaels have now culminated play away from UCU Pavilion for the non-conference slate.

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Unstoppable Saxen

Mitchell Saxen was the hero of the night for the Gaels, hitting the game-winning shot at the buzzer. But his contributions to the win were so much more than just that bucket.

Saxen was the driving force on offense for the Gaels in a contest where neither team seemed to be able to remove the lid on the basket. While scoring that career-high 23 points, Saxen converted on 8 out of 13 field goal attempts, making him the only player on either side to shoot better than 50% from the field with at least two field goal attempts.

Saxen also was consistent at the free throw, where he has struggled for a majority of the season, knocking down 7–10 from the stripe. Playing 43 of 50 minutes, Saxen also bottled up opposing post players, as the Gaels were +24 in the paint against the Runnin’ Rebels. If his scoring wasn't enough, Saxen also ripped down a career-high 16 rebounds. The Gaels were +35 on the glass, tallying 68 rebounds as a team, just four shy of the program record that has stood since 1965.

Home Until January 

The Gaels will close out the remainder of their non-conference slate at home. After a rocky start away from home, the Gaels picked up wins in each of their last two contests away from UCU Pavilion, bringing them back to above .500. They return to Moraga and play host to Middle Tennessee State on Tuesday, December 19, and will face Missouri State, Northern Kentucky, and Kent State at home before opening up conference play on the road against San Diego and LMU in the new year. 
 

READ MORE: This story as it originally appears at SMCGaels.com

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Story updated Sunday, December 17, at 3 p.m.