Feb 22, 2004
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - Daniel Kickert scored 18 points to lead Saint Mary's to a 70-40 victory over Santa Clara on Saturday night.
Frederic Adjiwanou had a career-high 17 rebounds as the Gaels (17-10, 8-4 WCC) clinched their winningest season since the 1996-97 season, when they finished 23-8 and reached the NCAA tournament under current Oregon coach Ernie Kent.
E.J. Rowland added 16 points for Saint Mary's, which won at Santa Clara for the first time in six games.
Doron Perkins scored 12 points to lead Santa Clara (13-14, 5-7), which lost its fourth straight.
It was the second-largest margin of victory this season for the Gaels, who beat the Broncos 84-52 earlier in the year.
The game also marked the lowest point total of the season for Santa Clara and the fewest points Saint Mary's has allowed.
Santa Clara cut the deficit to 32-27 early in the second half, but the Gaels answered with a 15-0 run to put the game away.
Later in the second half, Saint Mary's led by as many as 34 points.
Santa Clara shot just under 28 percent in the first half.
Saint Mary's led by as many as 12 in the first half, and led 28-19 at halftime.