The Loyola Marymount Lions and the Saint Mary’s Gaels meet in college basketball action from the University Credit Union Pavilion on Saturday night. Who comes out on top in this WCC showdown? Let’s dive in and find out with our Loyola Marymount vs. Saint Mary’s Prediction.
Loyola Marymount Team Preview
The Loyola Marymount Lions come into this one looking to build on back-to-back wins after a 92-65 win over Portland last time out. Dominick Harris leads the Lions in scoring with 15.1 PPG with 3.6 RPG while Alex Merkviladze has 11.4 PPG with a team-high 6.5 RPG to lead the Lions on the glass. Justin Wright has 10.4 PPG with 3.4 RPG and Will Johnston has 10.1 PPG with 2.9 APG to lead the Lions in assists while rounding out the group of double-digit scorers for LMU up to this point in the year. Keli Leaupepe has 9.6 PPG with 5.2 RPG and Justice Hill has 9.6 PPG and 4.1 APG through 12 games this season. As a team, Loyola Marymount is averaging 74.1 PPG on 44.1% shooting from the field, 35.7% from three and 73.7% from the foul line this season.
Saint Mary’s Team Preview
The Saint Mary’s Gaels come into this one looking to build on a 7-game win streak after a 76-28 rout of Pacific last time out. Aidan Mahaney leads the Gaels in scoring with 14.5 PPG with 2.8 APG and Mitchell Saxen has 11.3 PPG with a team-high 7.9 RPG to lead the Gaels on the glass this season. Augustas Marciulionis has 10.9 PPG with a team-high 4.4 APG to lead the Gaels in assists so far this year while rounding out the trio of double-digit scorers for the Gaels and Joshua Jefferson has 9.8 PPG with 6.7 RPG as well this year. As a team, Saint Mary’s is averaging 72.6 PPG on 45.4% shooting from the field, 32.2% from three and 67.8% from the foul line this season.
Loyola Marymount vs. Saint Mary’s Prediction
I’m on the Gaels here. I know the points are tempting considering this was a 4-point game in the first meeting this season, but the Gaels have flipped a switch since then, and the Lions have faced little to nothing to compare to what they’re up against in this one. Give me Saint Mary’s in another whooping.