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.
Updated Nov 30, 8:25 pm EST
