Ford pours in 35 — Gaels improve to 2-0

Jordan Ford seems to be adjusting quite well to the role of St. Mary’s starting point guard.

The junior, who spent the previous two seasons mainly as a “2” guard, scored a careerhigh 35 points Sunday night as the Gaels hammered Utah Valley 92-63 at McKeon Pavilion.

Ford’s previous career high was 27 in a WCC tournament loss to BYU in March.

On Sunday, Ford went 11for-17 from the floor, including 4-for-6 from beyond the arc. He also went 9-for-10 at the line and added a career-high four steals.

In the Gaels’ 87-65 seasonopening win over McNeese State on Wednesday night, Ford had a team-high 23 points on 9-for-14 shooting.

One other stat of note for Ford: He has played 68 minutes in two games and has committed all of one turnover.

Ford’s three-pointer 5½ minutes into the game gave the Gaels (2-0) a 20-8 lead. They were up by double digits the rest of the way.

St. Mary’s also got doublefigure scoring from swingman Tanner Krebs (13 points) and center Jordan Hunter (11). The Gaels were 33-for-56 (58.9 percent) from the field, including 8-for-16 from three-point range.

Jake Toolson led Utah Valley (1-2) with 15 points and Wyatt Lowell added 14. The Wolverines lost 75-65 at BYU on Friday night.

St. Mary’s plays its first road game of the season against New Mexico State (2-0) on Wednesday night. Chronicle staff writer Steve Kroner

contributed to this report.