Saint Mary’s Gaels Host Loyola Marymount in Key WCC Matchup

MORAGA, Calif. — The Saint Mary's Gaels (13-3, 3-0 WCC) will host the Loyola Marymount Lions (9-7, 1-3 WCC) in a crucial West Coast Conference matchup on Tuesday night. The game, set to tip off at 11 p.m. ET, will be televised on ESPN2. Saint Mary’s, riding a three-game winning streak, looks to maintain its position atop the WCC standings, while Loyola Marymount seeks to rebound from a tough start to conference play.

Saint Mary’s enters the game as heavy favorites, with a -14.5 point spread and a moneyline of -2000, according to BetMGM. The Gaels are coming off an 81-58 victory over Portland, led by senior guard Augustas Marciulionis, who scored 20 points. Marciulionis leads the team in scoring (14.9 PPG) and assists (5.9). The Gaels’ defense has been a cornerstone of their success, allowing just 62.4 points per game, the best in the WCC.

Loyola Marymount, meanwhile, has struggled in conference play, with losses to San Francisco, Washington State, and Gonzaga. The Lions are led by junior forward Jevon Porter, who averages 14.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, and graduate student Caleb Stone-Carrawell, who adds 13.4 points per game. Despite their offensive firepower, the Lions have been outrebounded in conference play, averaging just 35.6 rebounds per game compared to Saint Mary’s 41.8.

The game is expected to be a defensive battle, with the over/under set at 135 points. Saint Mary’s deliberate offensive pace, ranked 351st nationally in adjusted tempo, contrasts with Loyola Marymount’s more up-tempo style, ranked 169th. Both teams have struggled from beyond the arc, with Saint Mary’s shooting 31.8% and Loyola Marymount at 33.1%.

Key matchups to watch include Marciulionis against Loyola Marymount’s backcourt and the battle on the boards, where Saint Mary’s holds a significant advantage. The Gaels have outscored opponents by an average of 12.7 points per game this season, while Loyola Marymount has lost its three WCC games by an average of 19 points.

With Gonzaga and Washington State also undefeated in conference play, every game is critical for Saint Mary’s as they aim for a fourth consecutive NCAA tournament berth. A win against Loyola Marymount would further solidify their position as one of the top teams in the WCC.