Saint Mary's Edges Loyola Marymount in Close Contest
Sunday, December 28, 2025, 7:00 PM ET · Gersten Pavilion
Saint Mary's Gaels 78, Loyola Marymount Lions 73, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Saint Mary's Gaels vs Loyola Marymount Lions?
Saint Mary's Gaels beat Loyola Marymount Lions 78-73 at Gersten Pavilion on December 28, 2025.
Who was favored in Saint Mary's Gaels vs Loyola Marymount Lions?
Saint Mary's Gaels were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -485 (about 83% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Saint Mary's Gaels narrowly defeated the Loyola Marymount Lions with a final score of 78-73 at Gersten Pavilion. This victory marks another successful outing for the Gaels, who improve their record to 13-2, while the Lions fall to 9-6. The game was characterized by a series of lead changes and clutch plays, particularly in the second half, making it a thrilling encounter for fans.
Saint Mary's entered the game with a strong away record of 5-2 and had been on a winning streak, having won their last two games. In their last ten outings, the Gaels posted an impressive record of 8-2, averaging 76.7 points scored per game while allowing 65.2 points. Their recent form included a victory over the Northern Iowa Panthers, where they won 63-58, and a solid performance against the Florida Atlantic Owls, winning 88-75. The Gaels' ability to score efficiently and maintain a solid defense has been a key factor in their success this season.
On the other hand, Loyola Marymount had shown resilience in their recent games, winning their last two before this matchup. Their record over the last ten games stood at 6-4, with an average of 72.7 points scored and 67.1 points allowed. The Lions' recent victories included a dominant 83-56 win against Morgan State and a 91-57 triumph over North Alabama. However, they struggled against tougher opponents earlier in the season, which reflected in their home record of 3-4.
The matchup was particularly significant as it was the third meeting between these two teams in the current season, with Saint Mary's having won the previous two encounters. In their earlier meetings, the Gaels defeated the Lions 81-56 in January and edged them out 58-55 in February, showcasing their dominance in this rivalry.
In terms of injuries, both teams appeared to be at full strength, which allowed for a competitive game. The conditions at Gersten Pavilion were favorable for basketball, with a lively crowd supporting the home team.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Saint Mary's as the favorites with a spread of 9.5 points, indicating confidence in their ability to secure a strong performance. The total for the game was set at 143.5, reflecting expectations for a moderately high-scoring affair.
As the game unfolded, viewers witnessed a back-and-forth battle in the second half, with key moments including Jalen Shelley making crucial free throws and Myron Amey Jr. hitting significant three-pointers to keep the Lions in contention. However, Saint Mary's responded effectively, with Joshua Dent and Rory Hawke making pivotal shots that ultimately sealed the victory.
The final score of 78-73 not only highlighted the competitive nature of the game but also demonstrated Saint Mary's ability to perform under pressure, maintaining their strong season record as they head into the next phase of their schedule.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | SMC -9.5 | 143.5 o -105 / u -115 | Saint Mary's Gaels -485 · Loyola Marymount Lions +370 |
Leaders
- PointsRodney Brown Jr.22Loyola Marymount Lions
- AssistsJalen Shelley3Loyola Marymount Lions
- ReboundsMyron Amey Jr.7Loyola Marymount Lions
- PointsDillan Shaw18Saint Mary's Gaels
- AssistsJoshua Dent5Saint Mary's Gaels
- ReboundsPaulius Murauskas9Saint Mary's Gaels
Recent form
Loyola Marymount Lions
Last 10: 6-4Streak W272.7 scored · 67.1 allowed per game3-4 at home
- W83-56vs Morgan State BearsDec 23
- W91-57vs North Alabama LionsDec 20
- L57-67vs UC San Diego TritonsDec 17
- L70-91vs Saint Louis BillikensDec 3
- L68-71vs Stony Brook SeawolvesNov 29
- W70-58at Ohio BobcatsNov 25
- L65-76vs Florida Atlantic OwlsNov 25
- W78-74at UC Santa Barbara GauchosNov 18
- W74-63vs Troy TrojansNov 15
- W71-58at UTEP MinersNov 12
Saint Mary's Gaels
Last 10: 8-2Streak W276.7 scored · 65.2 allowed per game3-2 away
- W63-58vs Northern Iowa PanthersDec 23
- W88-75vs Florida Atlantic OwlsDec 20
- L67-68at Boise State BroncosDec 14
- W70-61at Davidson WildcatsDec 7
- L71-96at Vanderbilt CommodoresNov 28
- W77-66at Virginia Tech HokiesNov 27
- W70-65at Wichita State ShockersNov 27
- W96-42vs UC Merced BobcatsNov 23
- W85-72vs Arkansas State Red WolvesNov 20
- W80-49vs North Texas Mean GreenNov 15
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gonzaga | 31-4 | - | 16-2 |
| Saint Mary's | 27-6 | - | 16-2 |
| Santa Clara | 26-9 | 1 | 15-3 |
| Oregon State | 17-16 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Seattle U | 21-14 | 8 | 8-10 |
| Pacific | 18-15 | 8 | 8-10 |
| San Francisco | 17-16 | 8 | 8-10 |
| Washington State | 12-20 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Loyola Marymount | 15-17 | 10 | 6-12 |
| Portland | 15-19 | 10 | 6-12 |
| San Diego | 12-21 | 11 | 5-13 |
| Pepperdine | 9-23 | 12 | 4-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Saint Mary's Gaels | Loyola Marymount Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 29-56 | 28-56 |
| Field goal % | 52 | 50 |
| Three-pointers | 7-14 | 8-19 |
| Three-point % | 50 | 42 |
| Free throws | 13-19 | 9-14 |
| Free throw % | 68 | 64 |
| Rebounds | 31 | 27 |
| Offensive rebounds | 12 | 9 |
| Defensive rebounds | 19 | 18 |
| Assists | 12 | 11 |
| Steals | 2 | 1 |
| Blocks | 3 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 6 | 6 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 6 | 11 |
| Fast-break points | 2 | 2 |
| Points in the paint | 40 | 36 |
| Fouls | 18 | 20 |
| Largest lead | 7 | 5 |
| Lead changes | 9 | 9 |
| Time in front | 57 | 24 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half43-38Rodney Brown Jr. makes 21-foot jumper (Jalen Shelley assists)
- 2nd Half45-38Paulius Murauskas makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half45-40AJ Thomas makes 14-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half45-43Rodney Brown Jr. makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half47-43Andrew McKeever makes 5-foot floating jump shot (Mikey Lewis assists)
- 2nd Half47-45Rodney Brown Jr. makes 11-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half47-47Aaron McBride makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half49-47Andrew McKeever makes layup
- 2nd Half49-49Rodney Brown Jr. makes 12-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half51-49Harry Wessels makes 0-foot tip in dunk
- 2nd Half51-51Jan Vide makes 8-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half51-53Jan Vide makes 7-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half53-53Rory Hawke makes layup (Andrew McKeever assists)
- 2nd Half55-53Andrew McKeever makes layup (Joshua Dent assists)
- 2nd Half56-53Paulius Murauskas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-53Paulius Murauskas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half57-54Jalen Shelley makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-55Jalen Shelley makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half57-57Jan Vide makes driving layup
- 2nd Half57-59Jan Vide makes driving layup
- 2nd Half58-59Paulius Murauskas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-59Paulius Murauskas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-61Myron Amey Jr. makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half62-61Dillan Shaw makes 24-foot three point jumper (Mikey Lewis assists)
- 2nd Half64-61Dillan Shaw makes driving layup
- 2nd Half64-63Jan Vide makes layup
- 2nd Half65-63Paulius Murauskas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-64Jalen Shelley makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-65Jalen Shelley makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-65Joshua Dent makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-65Joshua Dent makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-65Dillan Shaw makes 25-foot three point jumper (Joshua Dent assists)
- 2nd Half70-66Jalen Shelley makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half70-67Jalen Shelley makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-70Myron Amey Jr. makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half73-70Joshua Dent makes 24-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half73-73Myron Amey Jr. makes 27-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half76-73Rory Hawke makes 27-foot three point jumper (Dillan Shaw assists)
- 2nd Half77-73Dillan Shaw makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half78-73Dillan Shaw makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Loyola Marymount Lions, below favours Saint Mary's Gaels.
Venue
- Gersten PavilionLos Angeles, CA
- Attendance1546
- OfficialsGregory Nixon, Ryan Holmes, Jason Garretson
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