For Immediate Release: December 29, 2009
Contact: David O'Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6800

BU men's basketball loses 85-57 to St. Mary's (Calif.)

Box score

MORGANA, CALIF. -- Host St. Mary's (12-2) drained 11 three pointers en route to an 85-57 win over Binghamton (4-9) in the opening round of the Shamrock Office Solutions Classic on Tuesday night at McKeon Pavilion. The Gaels are currently receiving votes in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll.

St. Mary's came into the game averaging 81.6 points per game. Against Binghamton, the Gaels shot 51.6 percent (32-of-62), including 52.0 percent (13-of-25) from beyond the three point line. The Bearcats, by contrast, missed all 14 of their three-point attempts.

"(St. Mary's) shoots the ball very well," interim head coach Mark Macon said. "This team is one of the most prolific shooting teams we have played. We just need to go back to the drawing board and come back playing hard tomorrow."

The Bearcats were up 15-14 with 10:50 left in the opening half but the Gaels went on a 27-6 burst to go up 41-21 at the break. St. Mary's drained four of their three pointers during that stretch, including two in the final 52 seconds of the half.

St Mary's hit four more three pointers in the opening 5:23 of the second half, extending their lead to 55-28 in the process. The Gaels extended their lead to as much as 69-32 with 10 minutes to go.

Mickey McConnell led all scorers with 24 points, including a game-high five three pointers. Matthew Dellavedova added 19 points, also hitting five three pointers while Omar Samhan chipped in 15 points.

Junior forward Greer Wright led the Bearcats with 15 points.

Binghamton faces Stephen Austin on Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the final round of the Shamrock Office Solutions Classic.