SMC (9-1)      27  43  — 70
DAV (7-2)      24  37  — 61

SAINT MARY`S — C. Bennett 0-0 0-0 0; L. Campbell 0-3 2-2 2; *J. Dent 8-9 4-4 21; R. Hawke 1-1 0-0 2; M. Lewis 5-18 0-1 11; *A. McKeever 6-9 3-5 15; P. Murauskas 3-12 1-2 7; D. Shaw 1-4 1-2 4; H. Wessels 4-5 0-1 8.Totals 28-61 11-17 70.
DAVIDSON — H. Adam 1-3 0-0 3; R. Blums 5-10 1-1 11; D. Brown 2-2 0-0 5; *S. Brown 5-13 4-5 16; N. Coval 0-6 1-2 1; P. Friedrichsen 2-6 0-1 5; R. Greer 1-1 0-0 3; J. Hurlburt 0-1 0-0 0; M. Joses 0-0 0-0 0; I. Platteeuw 2-5 0-0 4; J. "JQ" Roberts 2-5 1-4 5; J. Scovens 3-6 1-2 8. Totals 23-58 8-15 61. 
Three-point goals: SMC 3-11 (L. Campbell 0-1; J. Dent 1-1; M. Lewis 1-4; P. Murauskas 0-2; D. Shaw 1-3), DAV 7-23 (H. Adam 1-3; R. Blums 0-2; D. Brown 1-1; S. Brown 2-6; N. Coval 0-2; P. Friedrichsen 1-4; R. Greer 1-1; J. Hurlburt 0-1; I. Platteeuw 0-1; J. "JQ" Roberts 0-1; J. Scovens 1-1). Rebounds: SMC 46 (A. McKeever 13), DAV 28 (J. "JQ" Roberts 6). Assists: SMC 5 (J. Dent 5), DAV 9 (P. Friedrichsen 3). Possessions: 65. Halftime: Saint Mary`s 27, Davidson 24. 
Attendance: 2,692. 

DAVIDSON, N.C. (Interstat) — Joshua Dent scored 21 points to lead Saint Mary’s to a 70-61 victory over Davidson in a nonconference men’s basketball game Sunday at Belk Arena. The Gaels (9-1) used a strong second half to pull away after leading 27-24 at halftime. Saint Mary’s held Davidson to 39.7% shooting from the floor and owned a decisive 16-8 edge in offensive rebounds. Andrew McKeever added 15 points and 13 rebounds for the Gaels. Sam Brown led the Wildcats (7-2) with 16 points. Davidson struggled offensively, posting an efficiency rating of 93.7 points per 100 possessions. Attendance was 2,692.

Preview: Saint Mary’s Gaels at Davidson Wildcats DAVIDSON, N.C. (Interstat) — Two of the nation’s hottest mid-major programs will collide Sunday when the Saint Mary’s Gaels visit the Davidson Wildcats in a nonconference men’s basketball showdown at Belk Arena. Both teams enter with just one loss, combining for a 15-2 record. The Gaels (8-1) are ranked 15th in the latest AP Top 25, while the Wildcats (7-1) are receiving votes and look to bolster their resume with a signature win. Saint Mary’s seeks to rebound from its first defeat, a 96-71 road loss at Vanderbilt on Nov. 28 that snapped an eight-game winning streak. The Gaels’ strength lies in a balanced attack and stout defense, having held six opponents under 66 points. Davidson has won seven of eight, with its lone blemish a 94-60 rout by Utah State. The Wildcats have since responded with two straight wins, including a 79-63 victory over The Citadel on Thursday. The matchup features two standout performers. Saint Mary’s is led by forward Paulius Murauskas, who averages 19.4 points per game. The junior is coming off a 24-point effort in the loss to Vanderbilt and has scored 18 or more in seven of nine games. Davidson counters with guard Josh Scovens, its leading scorer at 13.3 points per game. Scovens has been efficient, shooting 50% from the field over his last five contests and posting 21 points in a win over North Carolina A&T. Historically, Saint Mary’s holds a 3-1 series edge, but the teams haven’t met since 2019. This game serves as a critical test for both before conference play begins. For Davidson, it’s the final major nonconference test at home before a Dec. 22 trip to Kansas. Saint Mary’s continues a tough road stretch before returning to California for a four-game homestand. Tipoff is set for Sunday afternoon. The game will be televised on an ESPN network. Projected Starters: Saint Mary’s: G Aidan Mahaney, G Augustas Marciulionis, F Joshua Jefferson, F Paulius Murauskas, C Harry Wessels. Davidson: G Grant Huffman, G David Skogman, F Josh Scovens, F Nick Coval, C Derek Maiette.