MORAGA, Calif. (AP)-Thursday, BYU men’s basketball (12-4, 1-0 in West Coast Conference action) visits Saint Mary’s (14-3, 1-1 in WCC play) as the Cougars and Gaels seek to remain in the WCC race.

At this stage, both Pacific and Gonzaga are each 2-0 in conference play to lead in the standings.

BYU head coach Mark Pope (12-4, .750 at BYU; 89-60, .597 as a collegiate head coach) continues to excel in his first season at the helm of the Cougars’ program.

BYU scores 76.9 points per game, ranking the Cougars 71st nationally in scoring offense.

Since returning after an NCAA-mandated suspension December 4, senior forward Yoeli Childs is the Cougars’ leader in scoring (20.9 points per game), rebounding (10.1 boards per game) and blocked shots (10).

Senior guard Jake Toolson (14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds per game), his fellow senior guard TJ Haws (12.3 points per game, a team-best 78 assists and tied with Toolson for the team lead in steals with 17) and junior guard Alex Barcello (10.1 points per game) also post double figures on-average for the Cougars.

The Cougars surrender 65.3 points per game, ranking BYU 93rd in scoring defense nationally.

The Gaels are coached by Randy Bennett, who is 428-177 (.707) in his 19th season at the helm of the Saint Mary’s program.

Saint Mary’s scores 78 points per game, tying the Gaels for 52nd nationally in scoring offense with Marquette.

Senior guard Jordan Ford leads Saint Mary’s in scoring (21.6 points per game) and steals (24).

Redshirt junior forward Malik Fitts (15.8 points, a team-best 8 rebounds per game) and Australian national, redshirt senior guard Tanner Krebs (10.7 points per game) also score in double figures on-average for the Gaels.

Redshirt junior guard Tommy Kuhse has 60 assists to lead the squad and Estonian national, sophomore forward/center Matthias Tass leads Saint Mary’s with 18 blocked shots.

Because of NCAA violations, the Gaels officially lead the Cougars 14-13 all-time and lead the series 8-2 all-time at Moraga, Calif.