MORAGA, Calif. – A little over a year ago, a 3-4 Saint Mary’s team headed to Idaho Falls to face Boise State after a narrow seven-point loss to Utah. The Gaels fell into an 0-11 deficit, and although they regained momentum in the second half, they narrowly lost 63-60. Fast forward 54 weeks and you’ll see the same two teams competing in the same place, but with a very different scenery. The Gaels opened the 2024-25 season 9-1, fresh off their first win over the Utes in Salt Lake City in nearly 70 years. There is no doubt that the Gaels team clearly has momentum compared to a season prior to this game, as Boise State has lost two of its last three games after a 4-1 start, but is still without an experienced group must, many of which were key players in last season’s win over the Gaels. This rematch between the Gaels and Broncos will now take center stage in a highly entertaining clash Saturday night at the Mountain America Center.

THE DETAILS

Saint Mary’s Gaels (9-1) vs. Boise State Broncos (6-3)

Saturday, December 14, 6:00 p.m. PST

Mountain America Center – Idaho Falls, ID

REGARD | LISTEN | LIVE STATISTICS

CONTINUED NON-CONFERENCE DOMINANCE

Between 2007 and 2023, the Saint Mary’s Gaels achieved great success in the non-conference regular season. In fact, only twice during that span (2018-19 and 2023-24) has Saint Mary’s suffered more than four losses in regular-season non-conference contests. Well, you can add another year to the “four losses or fewer” list, because with Saturday night’s win over Utah, the Gaels guaranteed a non-conference regular-season record that sits somewhere between 12-1 and 9-4. During the Bennett era at Saint Mary’s, the Gaels suffered a loss in the regular season three times: 2008-09 (13-1), 2015-16 (8-1) and 2016-17 (10-1). The Gaels hope to add the 2024-25 season to that list as their final three non-regular season matchups come against Boise State, Merrimack and Utah State.

I can’t get him off the ground

In his first season as a starter Luke Barrett continues to prove himself to be the ultimate energy guy for the Gaels. A season ago, Barrett played 17 minutes per game and gave the team a boost both offensively and defensively. This year, Barrett has expanded that role, giving the Gaels the same burst of energy for nearly 40 minutes per game. Luke is currently third in the country averaging 37.4 minutes per game. Although his overall numbers are the best of his career (10.6 PPG, 44% FG, 7.7 RPG), it’s everything he does on the court that isn’t reflected in the stats that made it so difficult for the coaching staff has Take him off the ground.

ABOUT THE BRONCOS

Boise State, the 2024-25 Mountain West preseason favorite, enters Saturday’s game with a record of 6-3, including two losses in its last three contests. Included in these three total losses are two losses to WCC opponents San Francisco and Washington State. Head coach Leon Rice is in his 15th season at the helm and has led his team to three consecutive NCAA Tournaments. Coach Rice retained six players from last year’s NCAA Tournament squad, including starters Tyson Degenhart (leading scorer last year and this year) and O’Mar Stanley (leading shot blocker last year and this year). New to the Broncos this season is point guard Alvaro Cardenas. After spending three seasons with Mountain West rival San Jose State, Cardenas is now the Broncos’ most assured playmaker, averaging 5.8 assists per game and a 2.60 assist-to-turnover ratio. A season ago, the Broncos defeated the Gaels 63-60 in Idaho Falls, thanks to a 17-point, five-assist performance from Degenhart. This upcoming matchup will be the 15th all-time between the Gaels and Broncos and the fourth all-time meeting between Coach Bennett and Coach Rice. Boise State leads the all-time series at 9-5, including a 2-1 record against the Gaels during the Bennett and Rice eras.

Don’t miss the men’s basketball action at home. TICKETS ARE ON SALE HERE.

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