MALIBU, Calif. (AP) -Mickey McConnell's career-high 26 points led Saint Mary's, Calif., to an 88-71 victory over Pepperdine on Thursday night.
Omar Samhan, the West Coast Conference's top scorer and rebounder, nearly posted a 20-20 game. He finished with 23 points and a career-high-tying 19 rebounds for the Gaels (18-3, 5-1) in his 12th double-double of the season.
Ben Allen added 19 points, and McConnell tied a career best with six 3-pointers.
Keion Bell led the Waves (7-15, 3-3) with 24 points and seven rebounds. It was the third time in a row and 12th time this season Bell had scored 20 or more points.
Mychel Thompson added 16 and Lorne Jackson 14.
Saint Mary's shot 56.1 percent (32 of 57) to Pepperdine's 36.4 percent (28 of 77). The Gaels also held a 43-36 edge on the boards.
The Gaels won for the eighth time in their last nine games.
