In the West Coast Conference Tournament semifinals, top-seeded Saint Mary's defeated No. 9 seed Pepperdine 74-59. Augustas Marciulionis and Paulius Murauskas each contributed 15 points, while Luke Barrett added another 13. The Gaels, on a seven-game winning streak, are headed to the championship game for the fourth consecutive year, hoping to secure an automatic NCAA Tournament bid. Pepperdine, despite a surprising run through the tournament, fell short as Moe Odum's scoring slump hindered their efforts. Overall, Saint Mary's showcased their tactical superiority, especially in scoring inside the lane.
Saint Mary's demonstrated their dominance by scoring 46 points in the paint, showcasing a physical style of play that overwhelmed Pepperdine throughout the game.
The Gaels improved their record to 24-0 when they score at least 70 points, underlining their offensive efficiency and ability to control the tempo in crucial matches.
Luke Barrett's contributions off the bench were significant, providing St. Mary's with depth and scoring ability, solidifying their chances for another conference championship.
Odum's early scoring burst for Pepperdine was pivotal; however, his extended scoring drought limited the Waves' ability to compete with the more consistent Gaels.
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