MORAGA, Calif. – Saint Mary’s, who did not lead at all over the final 37 minutes of regular, needed someone to step up. Freshman Aidan Mahaney didn’t just show up for the 18th-ranked Gaels, he showed up for the entire country.
He scored or assisted on 19 of 21 points during the final five minutes of regulation and beginning of overtime to help Saint Mary’s take control of the contest against No. 12 Gonzaga. The Gaels pulled away in the extra period and won 78-70.
Mahaney scored 16 of his team-high 18 points over the final 6:25 of regulation and overtime after he started 1-for-10. He hit the shots to tie the game at 57 and 59 before setting up Mitchell Saxen for the layup that forced OT with five seconds left to even the game at 61.
Midway through the extra period, he torched the net with a 3-pointer to give the Gaels a four-point lead and then assisted on Saxen’s basket that made it a six-point game.
“He just has it,” SMC coach Randy Bennett said, according to The AP. “A lot of guys would fold and just kind of hang their head and just kind of finish the game like that. That’s where he’s kind of special. He’s got great belief and he really, really competes to win. That’s where he’s special.”
As University Credit Union Pavilion was rocking with Mahaney’s heroics, Twitter went ablaze as well.
Saint Mary’s now has a two-game lead over Gonzaga in the WCC. Gaels have not won an outright league title since the 2011-12 season. And Aidan Mahaney? On track to join Patty Mills, Matthew Dellavedova, and the great guards to ever play in Moraga.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) February 5, 2023
Aidan Mahaney is on his way to an incredible college career, of this I’m sure.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) February 5, 2023
Mahaney has 16 of his 18 points after halftime.
The Aidan Mahaney Game
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) February 5, 2023
AIDAN MAHANEY IS PLAYING LIKE AN ALL-AMERICAN
— Sam Federman (@Sam_Federman) February 5, 2023
You are now speaking to the No. 1 Aidan Mahaney appreciator
— Eamonn Brennan (@eamonnbrennan) February 5, 2023
Aidan Mahaney is the hero hero ball has been waiting for.
— John Gasaway (@JohnGasaway) February 5, 2023
Aidan Mahaney is making his best case for WCC POY right now. Just an absolutely sick performance in the second half for Saint Mary’s.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) February 5, 2023
TIED GAME!!!!! DOWN TO THE WIRE IN MORAGA!
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