Mantas Juzenas anchored a resilient Saint Mary’s defense and offense, scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to guide the Gaels to a 90-85 overtime victory over Illinois State in their season opener. The matchup in Moraga, California, featured a high-scoring first half where Illinois State held the lead, but Saint Mary’s adjusted effectively in the second half to force extra time. Juzenas proved decisive in the final minutes, contributing five points in the overtime period to secure the win for the home team.
Gaels rally from halftime deficit as Zougris seals victory with clutch final run
Illinois State fought back with a stellar performance from Johnny Kinziger, who tallied 30 points and four assists for the Redbirds. Despite Kinziger’s scoring prowess, the Redbirds could not overcome Saint Mary’s balanced attack. Thomas Ndong added 18 points on efficient 7-of-9 shooting, while Evangelos Zougris delivered a perfect 7-of-7 from the field for 16 points. The Gaels’ offensive efficiency in the closing minutes was the difference maker, with Zougris scoring the final six points to put the game out of reach.
The game’s momentum shifted significantly in the second half after Saint Mary’s trailed 39-33 at halftime. Ndong’s nine-point first-half effort set the stage for a strong finish, but it was the Gaels’ collective execution in the fourth quarter and overtime that sealed the result. Looking ahead, Saint Mary’s hosts North Dakota State on Wednesday, while Illinois State travels to face Central State (OH) on Thursday, aiming to bounce back from their opening-night loss.
Source: Yahoo Sports
