By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Sunday, November 22, 2015

St. Mary’s used a big second half Sunday night and struck a competitive blow on behalf of mid-major programs, as the Gaels upended Stanford 78-61 in a non-conference men’s basketball game at McKeon Pavilion in Moraga.

Joe Rahon, a transfer from Boston College, poured in a game-high 24 points – also a career-best – while the Gaels outscored Stanford 45-24 in the second half, after the Cardinal took a 37-33 lead into the halftime break.

St. Mary’s used a 12-point run early in the second half to pull away for good, building a 20-point lead late in the game.

Rahon, Emmett Naar and Evan Fitzner each grabbed six rebounds for the Gaels, and Naar dished out six assists.

St. Mary’s shot 57 percent from the field, hitting 30 of 53 shots – 9 of 16 from 3-point range. The Gaels made 17 of 28 field goal attempts in the second half and outrebounded Stanford 34-24.

Reid Travis led the Cardinal with 18 points, hitting 9 of 14 from the field. Travis also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. Marcus Allen added 14 points – all in the first half – and sophomore Dorian Pickens had 10 points. Allen has seen limited action in the first three games due to a foot injury.

The loss evened the Cardinal’s record at 2-2, while St. Mary’s is undefeated after three games. It was the first time the schools met on the court since November 13, 2002, when Stanford prevailed 76-58.

Stanford still leads the all-time series 34-15.