Saint Mary's beats Providence 81-75

Sunday 11/30/2008 2:30 PM
TEAM STAT LEADERS
Providence Saint Mary's
Points J. Kale  20 P. Mills  24
Rebounds J. Kale  10 I. O'Leary  8
Assists G. McDermott  3 C. Hughes  6
Team Stats: Providence |  Saint Mary's

ANAHEIM, Calif.(AP) Patrick Mills scored 24 points and Diamon Simpson had a season-high 18 points as Saint Mary's repelled a late rally to defeat Providence 81-75 in the fourth-place game of the 76 Classic on Sunday.


Omar Samhan added 16 points and Ian O'Leary had a season-best 13 points for the Gaels (5-1), who are off to their best start since the 1993-94 season.


Jonathan Kale scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Friars (4-3). Weyinmi Efejuku added 11 points.


Saint Mary's held a 60-49 lead with 11:53 to play before Providence narrowed the deficit to 72-66 with 4:44 left. But Mills made a 3-point shot with 3:58 remaining, then scored on a lay-in that extended the Gaels' lead to 77-67 with 1:08 left.