By GREG MENGELT

MORAGA, Calif. — Bellmarine’s trip to the West Coast began with a pretty impressive performance, yet in defeat, 73-64 at Saint Mary’s (Calif.) on Wednesday evening.

Senior guard Dylan Penn did everything he could to keep the Knights in the game with the unbeaten Gaels (4-0). He had a game-high 27 points for Bellarmine, which falls to 0-3 with the loss. Penn was 11-of-19 from the field and had four rebounds and four assists in the loss.

Former Providence star Juston Betz scored on a layup — on an assist from Penn — with 12:41 left to get the Knights within 47-38. It was Betz’s only bucket. He finished with three points, five rebounds and two assists. The five rebounds is a season-best performance for Betz.

The Knights took a 55-54 lead with 5:54 left following a Penn jumper. The Gaels outscored Bellarmine 19-9 the rest of the way.

Estonian senior Matthias Tass led the Gaels with 25 points. He had 21 combined points in Saint’s Mary’s first three games.

The Knights stay out West and take on the nation’s top two teams in their next two games. First, it’s a true road game at No. 1 Gonzaga (3-0). That game is scheduled for 9 p.m. Friday. Then Bellarmine takes on No. 2 UCLA (4-0) at the Empire Classic in Las Vegas next Monday. The game against UCLA is on ESPN Plus.