CLAREMONT, Calif. - Saint Mary's secured a 77-67 victory over Caltech in a non-conference matchup held at Braun Gymnasium in Pasadena, Calif., on Tuesday. The Cardinals pulled ahead in the second half after being tied at 36 at halftime.
 
Jemari Moore emerged as a key player for Saint Mary's, scoring 17 points while also contributing significantly with five rebounds and two steals. Breyton Buysman led the team in scoring with 18 points, making all of his six free-throw attempts and adding eight rebounds to his performance. Additionally, Jabari Sawyer showcased his defensive prowess with an impressive career high seven steals, complementing his 14 points and three assists. These players were instrumental in driving the team's performance, with each player contributing in different areas of the game.
 
Sawyer recorded his first steal of the game on the opening possession, setting up an early bucket for Buysman. The Cardinals quickly built a 10-8 lead, thanks to contributions from Moore and Jackson Harvey, who scored their first points of the game.
 
The Beavers took a seven-point lead, capitalizing on turnovers to go up 19-12 with 15 minutes left in the first half. Harvey scored four straight points, and Jonah Ogunsanya added his first basket along with a three-pointer, bringing the Cardinals within four.
 
The Beavers stretched their lead to 10 points with five minutes to go, but Sawyer answered with four consecutive free throws, followed by a three-pointer from Moore. The Cardinals ended the half with a 10-0 run and tied at 36.
 
The Beavers struck first in the second half, scoring the first four points to take the lead. However, Sawyer's timely steals and lockdown defense kept the Cardinals in the game, helping to maintain the momentum.
 
Buysman's free throws put the Cardinals ahead 44-43 with 15 minutes to play.
Moore and Sawyer led the charge, each hitting a three-pointer and a basket, helping the Cardinals take their largest lead of the game at 57-48, a nine-point advantage. With five minutes remaining, the Cardinals were sinking their free throws. Harvey, Buysman, Moore, and Khai Branham each contributed a pair in the final minutes.
 
The Cardinals converted 22 of 31 free-throw attempts, shooting 71% as a team to secure the win.
 
The Cardinals finished the 2024 year with a solid team win. The team returns to action on Saturday traveling to Moorehead to take on Concordia to finish their season with conference action with a 1 p.m. game.