PULLMAN, Washington — In an exciting college basketball matchup, Paulius Murauskas delivered an impressive performance for Saint Mary’s, contributing 25 points and securing 12 rebounds as the Gaels staged a comeback to defeat Washington State 80-75 on Saturday evening.

Augustas Marciulionis also made a significant impact, adding 17 points and dishing out seven assists for Saint Mary’s, which improved to an impressive 18-3 record, remaining undefeated in West Coast Conference play with an 8-0 streak. Jordan Ross provided additional scoring with 13 points, supporting the team’s winning momentum.

On the other side, Ethan Price stood out for the Cougars, leading his team with 20 points as Washington State now holds a record of 15-7 and 5-4 in the conference. Teammates Dane Erikstrup and Nate Calmese contributed notably as well, each finishing the game with 16 points.

Murauskas recorded 12 of his points in a competitive first half, but the Gaels found themselves trailing 38-35 at halftime. In a determined effort during the second half, Saint Mary’s surged ahead following a 9-0 run that overturned a four-point deficit, enabling them to take a 59-54 lead with just over eight minutes left in the game. Murauskas continued to shine, scoring 13 points in the second half, helping his team secure their eighth consecutive victory.