Darlene Bennett kisses her husband St. Mary’s head coach Randy Bennett after defeating the University of San Francisco at Saint Mary's College in Moraga, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. St. Mary’s defeated University of San Francisco 68-59. With tonight’s win over USF, St. Mary’s head coach Randy Bennett has won his 500th victory since he began coaching the Gaels in 2001. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
MORAGA — Saint Mary’s coach Randy Bennett won his 500th game Thursday night but visiting USF made the 18th-ranked Gaels work for it before securing a 68-59 victory.
Down 55-53 with 4 minutes left, the Gaels took charge with an 8-0 run that included six points from freshman Aidan Mahaney. His 3-pointer with 1:43 left pushed the lead to 61-55.
Mahaney, who scored 17 points, fouled out with 1:22 left and USF’s Khalil Shabazz made two free throws to cut the margin to four points. USF got no closer than that.
Bennett now owns a record of 500-204 in 22 seasons and the Gaels have won 20 games for the 15th year in a row, excluding the shortened 2020-21 COVID season.
The Gaels (20-4, 9-0) remain alone atop the West Coast Conference but face a serious challenge Saturday night at home against No. 14 Gonzaga (19-4, 8-1), which beat Santa Clara 88-70 on Thursday night.
Alex Ducas scored 17 points for the Gaels, Logan Johnson had 12 points and Mitchell Saxen had 10 points and 10 rebounds. Saint Mary’s shot 32 for 37 from the free throw line in a game that featured 43 personal fouls.
Khalil Shabazz led the Dons (15-10, 4-6) and Marcus Williams scored 15.
The Gaels led 36-27 at halftime and their margin reached 13 points midway through the second half before the Dons came alive. They took a 50-49 lead after a 12-0 run that included two 3-pointers by Williams and a go-ahead layup by Shabazz with 5:35 left.
Originally published at Jeff FaraudoHUGE 3⃣
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