MORAGA, Calif. (Interstat) — Saint Mary’s outlasted Northern Iowa 63-58 in a men’s college basketball game Monday night at McKeon Pavilion. The Gaels improved to 11-2, while the Panthers fell to 9-3.

In a game projected heavily in the Gaels’ favor, the Panthers kept pace into the second half. Saint Mary’s led 28-27 at halftime before pulling away with a 35-point second-half performance. Northern Iowa scored 31 after the break but could not close the gap.

The contest drew an attendance of 3,500. Saint Mary’s next plays at Loyola Marymount on Sunday. Northern Iowa hosts Valparaiso on Dec. 29.