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MORAGA, Calif. (AP) -- Daniel Kickert scored 16 points, including seven points in a key second-half sequence, to lead Saint Mary's to a 75-62 victory over Murray State in the championship game of the Shamrock Office Solutions Classic on Wednesday night.
Paul Marigney added 13 points and eight rebounds for Saint Mary's (11-4), which won its fifth straight game for its longest winning streak since an 11 gamer at the end of the 1996-97 season.
Kickert, named the tournament MVP, hit a 3-pointer which put Saint Mary's ahead 9-6, and the Gaels never trailed after that.
After Murray St. scored two quick baskets to open the second half to cut Saint Mary's lead to six, Kickert scored from the post and followed a free throw by Darnell Hopkins with a three-point play to put the Gaels ahead by 10.
Charles Johnson scored for Murray St. (5-4) before E.J. Rowland drove for a basket and Jason Walberg scored a 3-pointer after making a steal. Kickert scored after a three-quarters court-length pass from Rowland as Saint Mary's built a double-digit lead it never relinquished.
Saint Mary's, which committed 12 turnovers in the first half, had only six in the second half when it hit 58.3 percent from the floor (14-for-24). Saint Mary's shot 50 percent for the game (24-for-48).
Hopkins led all scorers with 21 points, and Issian Redding added 11 with eight rebounds for Murray State.
Brett Collins and Rowland each added 10 for Saint Mary's. Rowland also had six assists.
UC Davis beat Radford 67-63 earlier Wednesday in the consolation game.


