‘ Grindy’ time of the season for Gaels

“Smooth,” “flowing,” “unselfish” and “efficient” are adjectives that could be used to describe St. Mary’s offense for most of this season.

The Gaels, who host Pepperdine on Thursday night, often have provided clinics in ball movement. They’ve made the extra pass to find an open three- point shooter, be he guard Emmett Naar, guard Joe Rahon, forward Evan Fitzner or forward Calvin Hermanson.

Or the Gaels have fed Dane Pineau or Jock Landale in the low post at both the proper spot and proper time for each big man to be most effective.

But in the past three games, road wins against Pacific and San Diego sandwiched around a road loss to BYU, the St. Mary’s offense hasn’t looked nearly as aesthetically pleasing.

“It’s that time of year where — especially in the league — everybody knows you, so it gets grindy,” head coach Randy Bennett said in a phone interview Tuesday night. “Our games have been grindy.”

Grindy would equate to shooting 34.4 percent in the loss to the Cougars and 34.5 percent in the victory over the Toreros. Through Tuesday, the Gaels still led the nation in field- goal percentage ( 51.4) and were second in three- point field- goal percentage ( 42.4).

Bennett attributed some of the dip in offensive production to playing away from McKeon Pavilion.

“I don’t think many teams shoot it as well on the road,” Bennett said. “We certainly fall into that category.”

The Gaels are unbeaten in 15 home games this season and are one shy of tying the school record for home wins in a season.

“Everybody’s a little better at home,” Bennett said. “You’re comfortable. You know the baskets. You have the crowd behind you, all that.”

Bennett then quickly added, “Home’s not going to win us the game. We’re going to have to play well — both games, Thursday and Saturday” against Loyola Marymount.

As of Wednesday, the Gaels ( 19- 3, 10- 2 WCC) had an RPI of 51. That means they’re in the mix — but are by no means a lock — for an at- large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Something in their favor, particularly in these “grindy” times of February: They’re second in the nation in fewest points allowed per game, 59.3.

“The bottom line is we have to be a good defensive team down the stretch,” Bennett said. Briefly: Pepperdine ( 14- 10, 7- 6) beat the Gaels 67- 64 in Malibu on Jan. 9. … Lamond Murray Jr., the son of the former Cal and NBA forward, leads the Waves in scoring at 15.6 points per game. … The Gaels are tops in the nation in assist- to- turnover ratio at 1.87- to- 1. Rahon leads the conference and is sixth in the country at 4.6- to- 1.