 | | | Rob Jones #22 Photo Tod Fierner
| | | | | | The Gaels used a "triple-threat" approach to defeat Weber State in their fourth home game of the season. Junior guard Matthew Dellavedova, senior forwards Kenton Walker and Rob Jones all had double-doubles to lead Saint Mary's to an 87-70 in the final of the Shamrock Office Solutions Classic at McKeon Pavilion. The Gaels also defeated Cal Poly, 59-52 on December 3 to improve to 5-1.
Dellavedova had career highs in both points and assists, recording 25 and 11, respectively. Walker tied his career high in points and rebounds with 14 and 11, respectively. Jones recorded his fifth straight double-double of the season, scoring 24 points and grabbing 12 boards.
Weber State (6-1) led by ten points towards the end of the first half before the Gaels went on an 11-2 run to cut the Wildcats' lead to one at halftime.
"This game was as important for us as any of them because we were down ten and kept our composure," said Gaels' head coach Randy Bennett. "We were able to get tight right before the half and then in the second half we played better."
The Saint Mary's offense finally hit its stride after the half, the "triple threat," Dellavedova, Walker and Jones accounted for 43 of the Gaels' 56 second-half points. Dellavedova said that a change in his poise helped the team out.
"I just tried to play a little slower. I've been rushing a little bit," said Dellavedova. "We moved the ball, and we tried to push the ball a little bit more and that helped."
Bennett said he has been impressed with Dellavedova's maturation this season.
"He's getting better," said Bennett. "Last year it was in Mickey's hands a lot more and he was a second facilitator, but now it's in his hands a lot more and he's going to have to take the best defender every night. I think he's figuring it out."
The impressive offensive display wasn't limited to Saint Mary's players. Wildcats junior guard Damian Lillard, an Oakland native who was recruited by Saint Mary's, dropped a career high of his own, tying his previous record of 36 points.
"I told him after the game we held him under 40. We did a good job," said Bennett with a laugh.
Five days later, the Gaels travelled down the 101 to San Luis Obispo to face Cal Poly. Jones recorded his sixth straight double-double with a game-high 18 points and 12 rebounds as the Gaels defeated the Mustangs 59-54.
Saint Mary's now has five more home games on the schedule before they face Baylor and Missouri State in the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic on December 22 and 23. The team's first WCC match-up will take place in Moraga on December 29 against conference debutants Brigham Young.
"We're a team that's still figuring things out," said Bennett. "Guys are learning their roles. We're not as far along as last year's team as far as understanding roles, but we also have a chance for more growth with this team."
|
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA