Busting Brackets
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Saint Mary’s Basketball: Gaels down San Francisco, 63-52

By Stuart Gill

Dec 20, 2016; Moraga, CA, USA; St. Mary's Gaels center Jock Landale (34) dunks the ball during the second half against Texas A&M-CC Islanders at McKeon Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2016; Moraga, CA, USA; St. Mary's Gaels center Jock Landale (34) dunks the ball during the second half against Texas A&M-CC Islanders at McKeon Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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Saint Mary’s basketball continued their winning ways by taking care of business against the San Francisco Dons on the road.

Saint Mary’s knocked off the San Francisco Dons, 63-52, on Saturday to remain unbeaten in WCC play.

Related Story: Saint Mary's shocked by UT-Arlington

Jock Landale led all scorers with 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting on the evening. Dane Pineau recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 boards in 35 minutes off the bench. Expect Pineau to start and continue to put up solid numbers as he finally appears healthy. His ability to grab rebounds takes pressure off Landale and gives the offense another option down low.

Ronnie Boyce III dropped 19 points in 21 minutes off the bench for the Dons, though he was the only SF player able to reach double digits on the night. The Dons made just 3-of-16 3-point attempts, continuing what has a been a tough stretch for them from beyond the arc. Freshmen Jordan Ratinho and Charles Minlend Jr, who typically hit around 50 percent of their 3’s, finished 0-of-7 combined.

Neither team was able to gain much of an advantage through 35 minutes. With 30 seconds left in the first half, Landale hit two free throws to tie the game at 26. Boyce would then make a layup with six seconds left to send USF into halftime with a two point advantage.

San Francisco would open the second half without a bucket in the first three minutes though, allowing the Gaels to retake the lead. Both teams battled for rebounds and struggled to make shots. That resulted in a gritty, defensive battle that would come down to the final minutes before Saint Mary’s began to pull away.

With SMC nursing a three point lead at the seven minute mark, Tanner Krebs’ 3-pointer began what would become an 11-3 run for Gaels. Finally with a sizable lead and with the score 61-50, Saint Mary’s was able to coast through the last minute of the game to avoid what would’ve been a notable upset.

Next: New year, brand new top 25

The Gaels improved to 4-0 in the WCC and will look to knock off Portland on the road before heading to Spokane, WA for a game against No. 5 Gonzaga. USF will travel to BYU to take on the Cougars on January 15th.