Dec. 5, 2007

Moraga, CA - Saint Mary's freshman point guard Patrick Mills has made an immediate impact, not just for the Gaels but also with the West Coast Conference. Following the first month of the season, Mills was named the Co-WCC Player of the Month for November on Tuesday.

A Canberra, Australia native, Mills didn't look like a freshman during the month of November for the Gaels. He led the Gaels to a 5-0 start during the month, including a 99-87 win over then-No. 11-ranked Oregon. Mills, who has led Saint Mary's to its best season-opening start in nearly two decades, led the Gaels and ranked sixth in the WCC with 15.8 points per game during the month of November.

In addition to his scoring, Mills led the conference in assists (5.0 apg), steals (3.0 spg), and free throw percentage (.962). In the Gaels' big win over the Ducks, Mills scored a Saint Mary's freshman record 37 points to go along with five assists.

Mills and the Gaels will return to action this weekend in the John Wooden Classic when the Gaels play the San Diego State Aztecs. The game between SMC and San Diego State will begin at noon from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Local fans of the Gaels, who cannot attend the game in Southern California, will be able to watch the broadcast on Comcast SportsNet West in the Bay Area.