Pacific Tigers vs Saint Mary’s Gaels NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/28/24

The Tigers and Gaels are set to face off at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. The Gaels will host the game at University Credit Union Pavilion in Moraga, CA. The over/under for this game is set at 138.5 points, and Saint Mary’s is favored by -21.5 vs. Pacific in a West Coast conference matchup.

PACIFIC TIGERS VS SAINT MARY’S GAELS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Pacific Tigers +21.5

This game will be played at University Credit Union Pavilion at 8:00 ET on Saturday, December 28th.

WHY BET THE PACIFIC TIGERS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-71 in favor of the Gaels.
• Even though we have Saint Mary’s winning straight-up, we like Pacific at +21.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 138.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 148 points.

Will Pacific Pull Through as the Underdog Road Team?

Pacific Tigers Recent Game/Games

Pacific fell to 3-9 on the season after a 95-72 home loss to Idaho on Saturday, December 21st. The Tigers were -4 favorites going into the game but failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 167, surpassing the over/under line of 143.5.

After trailing 47-31 at halftime, Pacific scored 41 points in the 2nd half but allowed 48 points to Idaho, leading to the lopsided final score.

Kolton Mitchell’s 32 points and 6 assists on 70.6% shooting, including 6 of 10 from three, led Pacific’s offense in their last game. Kristian Gonzalez added 20 points, shooting 63.6% overall and hitting 3 of 7 from deep. The Tigers hit 11 threes as a team, shooting 37.9% from beyond the arc.

Pacific finished with an effective field goal percentage of 50%, shooting 42.2% overall. They dished out 17 assists, with Mitchell and Lamar Washington each contributing 6. At the free-throw line, the Tigers connected on 7 of 9 attempts, good for 77.8%.

Pacific’s defense struggled, giving up 95 points while allowing their opponent to shoot 42% from the field. They conceded 16 two-point field goals on 35 attempts, a 45% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, Pacific allowed 11 threes on 29 attempts, with their opponent shooting 37%. They also sent them to the line 9 times, where they hit 7 free throws, a 77% clip.

Will Saint Mary’s Secure A Victory as Home Favorites?

Saint Mary’s Gaels Recent Game/Games

Saint Mary’s fell to 9-3 on the season after a 75-68 home loss to Utah State on Sunday. The Gaels, who were -5.5 favorites, failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 143, just under the O/U line of 143.5.

After trailing 39-27 at halftime, Saint Mary’s put up 41 points in the 2nd half while allowing 36, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.

Saint Mary’s put up 68 points in their last game, shooting 44.4% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc, hitting 10 threes. Their effective field goal percentage was 53.7%, but they struggled at the free-throw line, making just 52.6% of their attempts.

Mitchell Saxen and Mason Falslev each scored 18 points, with Falslev shooting 72.7% from the floor. Saxen added 6 rebounds and 4 assists, while Augustas Marciulionis contributed 8 assists despite shooting just 30.8% overall and 25% from three.

Saint Mary’s Gaels gave up 75 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 44% from the field. The Gaels allowed 14 two-point field goals on 29 attempts, a 48% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, the Gaels’ defense allowed 10 threes on 25 attempts, with the opposing team shooting 40%. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 19 times, where they made 10 free throws, shooting 52%. Saint Mary’s gave up 9 offensive rebounds.