Naar scores 24 to lead Saint Mary's past Santa Clara, 75-50

Feb 26, 2016, 01:15 am

MORAGA, Calif. -- Emmett Naar scored 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting, while Evan Fitzner hit three 3s and finished with 13 points to lead Saint Mary's past Santa Clara 75-50 Thursday night.

Dane Pineau had 10 points and eight rebounds for Saint Mary's, which has won four in a row.

Naar made layups on three-consecutive possessions as the Gaels (23-4, 14-3 West Coast Conference) took a 15-5 lead just more than six minutes in.

A 3 by Fitzner made it 33-20 at the half as Saint Mary's committed just one turnover and outscored Santa Clara (10-19, 6-11) 22-6 in the paint before the break.

The Gaels shot 55.6 percent (15 of 27) in the second half and finished with a season-low three turnovers, their fewest since committing three in a 94-72 win over Mississippi State on Dec. 29, 2010.

Jared Brownridge led the Broncos with 16 points. Kai Healy scored 13.