Gaels and Bears mix it up in Vegas
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The sixth-ranked Baylor Bears have traveled CA Gaels.
Saint Mary's has won eight consecutive decisions to improve to a sparkling 10-1 overall. The Gaels were most recently in action on Tuesday when they knocked off Eastern Washington by a 77-61 final, and all but one victory during the current winning streak has come by double figures.
The Gaels have yet to play a West Coast Conference game, and the Bears haven't begun Big 12 Conference play either. They have, however, ripped through 10 non-league games without a blemish, and all but one of the 10 wins have come by double figures. Monday's game against Paul Quinn was an obvious mismatch from the opening tip, and the result was a 95-54 triumph.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The only previous meeting between these two programs came in the 2010 NCAA Tournament, a game won rather easily by Baylor, 72-49.
Rob Jones has been extremely productive for Saint Mary's so far, as he is scoring 14.6 ppg on 51.7 percent shooting from the field to go along with 11.0 rpg. Matthew Dellavedova is close behind in scoring with 14.1 ppg, and he has handed out more than six assists per contest. The third and final double-digit scorer on the roster is Clint Steindl who provides 10.1 ppg. The Gaels are generating 75.8 ppg while limiting opponents to 55.2 ppg on 36.8 percent field goal efficiency. Dellavedova was tremendous in the 16-point decision over Eastern Washington last time out, as he poured in 25 points to go along with six assists. Jones netted 19 points and ripped down 11 boards in that affair for SMC, which overcame 39.1 percent field goal efficiency by earning a 32-13 advantage in points from the foul line.
Perry Jones III has been the best player for Baylor so far this season, as he is scoring 16.2 ppg on 68.8 percent shooting from the field. Quincy Acy checks in with 12.8 ppg to go along with team highs of 7.1 rpg and 29 blocks, and he is shooting 63.4 percent from the floor. Pierre Jackson (11.5 ppg, 4.6 apg), Quincy Miller (10.8 ppg) and Brady Heslip (10.0 ppg) round out a group of five double-digit scorers for the Bears, who are generating an impressive 80.0 ppg on 50.5 percent field goal efficiency while holding foes to 57.2 ppg on 34.6 percent shooting. Acy scored 24 points in the romp over Paul Quinn, as Baylor shot 60.3 percent from the floor in that affair and limited the opposition to 32.2 percent. Clearly, a 51-20 rebounding advantage was the most impressive stat of all from the tilt.