NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. (Interstat) — Saint Mary’s used a strong second half to defeat Washington State 83-67 in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday at Beasley Coliseum. The Gaels (25-4) led by just one point at halftime but outscored the Cougars 43-28 after the break. Joshua Dent led Saint Mary’s with 22 points. Paulius Murauskas added 17 points and four assists. Washington State (12-17) was led by Ace Glass III and ND Okafor, who each scored 15 points. The Cougars shot just 43.9% from the field and were outmatched in assists and blocks. Saint Mary’s shot 54.2% overall and 50% from three-point range. The attendance was 4,230.

NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. (Interstat) — In a neutral-site clash that underscored their divergent seasons, the Saint Mary’s Gaels methodically dispatched the Washington State Cougars 83-67 in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday at Beasley Coliseum. The Gaels, now 25-4 and winners of six straight, used a balanced offensive attack and a stifling defensive effort in the second half to pull away from the Cougars, who fell to 12-17. The game, organized by the West Coast, drew an attendance of 4,230. Saint Mary’s guard Joshua Dent, a junior from Wollongong, Australia, led all scorers with 22 points, showcasing an efficient performance that included three assists. He was complemented by forward Paulius Murauskas of Kaunas, Lithuania, who added 17 points, four assists and a block. Guard Mikey Lewis of Oakland, California, chipped in 16 points, two assists and two blocks for a Gaels squad that shot 54.2% from the field and an even 50% from three-point range. Washington State, which kept the contest close for a half, was led by 15 points apiece from forward ND Okafor of Dundalk, Ireland, and guard Ace Glass III of Upland, California. Guard Adria Rodriguez of Sant Just Desvern, Spain, facilitated the offense with six assists. The first half was a tightly contested affair featuring eight lead changes. Saint Mary’s built an early 8-3 lead, but Washington State responded with a 13-5 run, capped by a Rihards Vavers three-pointer, to take a 16-13 advantage. The Cougars’ largest lead of the game came at 27-22 following back-to-back three-pointers from Jerone Morton. However, the Gaels closed the half on an 18-12 surge, keyed by Dent’s playmaking and shooting. His assist on a Dillan Shaw three-pointer with 1:43 left gave Saint Mary’s a 36-34 lead, and after an Okafor free throw, Dent found Rory Hawke for another three in the final minute to send the Gaels into halftime up 40-39. The most important part of the game unfolded decisively after the break. Saint Mary’s emerged from the locker room with heightened defensive intensity, holding Washington State without a field goal for the first four minutes of the second half. During that span, the Gaels embarked on a 9-2 run, turning their one-point edge into a 49-41 lead after a Murauskas jumper. The Cougars’ offense, which managed just 28 points in the final 20 minutes, never recovered. Saint Mary’s steadily expanded its lead, combining precise ball movement with relentless defense. The Gaels recorded eight steals and seven blocks, disrupting Washington State’s rhythm and limiting them to 36.8% shooting in the second half. A pivotal sequence occurred with just under 12 minutes remaining when Mikey Lewis stole a pass and converted a layup, followed by a Murauskas jumper on the next possession, pushing the lead to 57-46. The advantage ballooned to 20 points, 74-54, after a Dent pull-up jumper with 6:07 to play, effectively sealing the outcome. The statistical disparity told the story of Saint Mary’s control. The Gaels posted an offensive rating of 128.3, scoring 1.28 points per possession, while holding Washington State to a rating of 101.2. Saint Mary’s also won the battle on the glass with a 10-7 edge in offensive rebounds and dished out eight assists to the Cougars’ five. Saint Mary’s, which entered the game with an 87.9% win probability according to National Statistical’s ELO system, has now won 13 of its last 14 games. The Gaels look ahead to key West Coast Conference matchups, hosting Santa Clara on Wednesday and Gonzaga next Saturday. Washington State, meanwhile, continues its road trip with games at Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine next week.

Preview: Saint Mary’s Gaels at Washington State Cougars NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. (Interstat) — The surging Saint Mary’s Gaels, ranked eighth nationally, look to continue their dominant season when they visit the Washington State Cougars in a nonconference men’s basketball matchup organized by the West Coast on Saturday at Beasley Coliseum. Saint Mary’s (24-4) enters on a five-game winning streak, most recently edging Seattle 72-70 on Wednesday. The Gaels’ efficient offense and stout defense have made them one of the nation’s elite teams, with their only loss since Jan. 10 coming against then-Gonzaga. Washington State (12-16) seeks consistency after a season of ups and downs. The Cougars are coming off an 87-70 home victory over Pacific but have lost four of their last six games. A key matchup will feature two of the region’s top scorers. Saint Mary’s is led by guard Mikey Lewis, who is averaging 16.3 points over his last three games, including a 22-point performance at Seattle. For Washington State, forward Rihards Vavers has been a bright spot, scoring 21 points in the win over Pacific and averaging 18.4 points over his last five contests. The Gaels won the earlier meeting this season, 88-82 at home on Jan. 10. In that game, Saint Mary’s used a balanced attack to overcome a 21-point, 2-assist effort from Vavers. Saint Mary’s boasts a formidable inside presence to complement Lewis, with forwards Paulius Murauskas and Andrew McKeever combining for 30 points in the midweek win. Washington State will counter with a backcourt featuring Jerone Morton, who leads the team in assists. The game represents a major opportunity for the Cougars to secure a signature win against a top-10 opponent at a neutral site, while the Gaels aim to bolster their NCAA tournament resume with another road victory. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. CST Saturday. Saint Mary’s will return home to face Santa Clara next Wednesday, while Washington State travels to face Loyola Marymount the same night.