SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Jordan Ford scored 24 points and Saint Mary’s defeated Fresno State 68-58 on Wednesday night for the Gaels’ third straight win.

Ford was 8-of-15 shooting and made 6 of 7 free throws while Tanner Krebs added 14 points and Malik Fitts scored 13 for the Gaels (4-1), who shot 51 percent.

Jarred Hyder led the Bulldogs (2-3) with 20 points, shooting 8 of 10, including three 3-pointers. Nate Grimes added eight points and nine rebounds. The Bulldogs shot 43 percent.

Saint Mary’s scored 23 points off turnovers and had a 28-18 advantage in points in the paint.

The Gaels led 33-27 at halftime and led by as many as 13 early in the second half.

Saint Mary’s now leads the series 20-18. The previous meeting between the programs that are 179 miles apart was in 2008.

Saint Mary's faces Lehigh at home on Saturday. Fresno State takes on Cal State Northridge on the road on Nov. 30.

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