MORAGA, Calif. (Interstat) — In a commanding display of offensive efficiency and defensive presence, the Saint Mary’s Gaels remained undefeated, overpowering the Arkansas State Red Wolves 85-72 in a non-conference men’s basketball game Wednesday night at a raucous McKeon Pavilion.

A dominant first-half performance set the tone for the Gaels, who improved to 5-0 on the young season. The Red Wolves, despite a valiant effort, saw their record evened at 3-2.

The story of the game was written in the stark contrast of shooting percentages and offensive execution. Saint Mary’s operated with surgical precision, converting 26 of their 53 field goal attempts for a blistering 49.1 percent from the floor. Their effectiveness from beyond the arc was even more remarkable, hitting 8 of 16 three-point attempts. Arkansas State, conversely, struggled to find a consistent offensive rhythm, shooting just 26 of 69 overall, a 37.7 percent clip, and 9 of 29 from three-point range.

A significant disparity emerged at the free-throw line, where the Gaels capitalized on their opportunities, making 25 of 33 attempts. The Red Wolves were more efficient but had far fewer chances, converting 11 of 13.

Saint Mary’s was led by a formidable performance from Lithuanian forward Paulius Murauskas, who poured in 24 points in 35 minutes of action. His inside-outside threat proved difficult for the Arkansas State defense to contain. He was complemented superbly by guard Mikey Lewis from nearby Oakland, who tallied 17 points and dished out a game-high six assists, orchestrating the Gael offense with poise.

The paint was patrolled effectively by Saint Mary’s 7-foot-1 center Andrew McKeever of Livermore. McKeever not only scored 16 points but also anchored the defense with five blocked shots, altering countless others and helping the Gaels to a total of seven blocks for the game. Guard Joshua Dent from Australia filled the stat sheet with nine points and seven assists, while Liam Campbell added 15 points, including three makes from deep.

Arkansas State’s offense ran primarily through Christian Harmon, who delivered a team-high 21 points. Matt Hayman provided a spark off the bench with 12 points, and Royal Blue Smith added 10 points in just 17 minutes of play. The Red Wolves battled hard on the glass, securing 12 offensive rebounds to the Gaels’ 11, and forced 11 Saint Mary’s turnovers while committing 10 of their own.

From the opening tip, Saint Mary’s established control. The Gaels raced out to an early lead, their ball movement and shot selection creating high-percentage looks. While Arkansas State kept pace initially, a sustained run by Saint Mary’s built a substantial advantage. The Gaels entered halftime with a 47-39 lead, a margin built on their superior shooting and defensive stands.

The second half saw the Red Wolves attempt to mount a challenge, but every Arkansas State run was met with a timely response from Saint Mary’s. Whether it was a key three-pointer from Campbell, a powerful finish inside from Murauskas, or a defensive stop spurred by McKeever, the Gaels consistently held the Red Wolves at arm’s length, never allowing the lead to become truly threatened.

The victory extends Saint Mary’s strong start to the season, having won each of their first five games by double digits. Arkansas State will look to rebound quickly as they continue a tough road stretch.

The announced attendance at McKeon Pavilion was 3,087. According to the Interstat ELO system, Saint Mary’s was projected with a 94.20 percent probability to win. The total score of 157 points fell under the betting over/under line of 147.5.