A Close Call: Saint Mary's Edges Out Vanderbilt in NCAA Tournament

In the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Saint Mary's and Vanderbilt faced off in a nail-biting game. Vanderbilt was ahead by 12 points when Augustas Marciulionis, Saint Mary's star player, had to sit out due to foul trouble. This gave Jordan Ross, another Saint Mary's guard, the chance to shine. He scored 10 points while Marciulionis was on the bench, helping his team to tie the score. Marciulionis returned to the game and made a couple of crucial shots. This set up a match against Alabama for the next round. Last year, Saint Mary's had a chance to play Alabama in the second round, but they lost to Grand Canyon. This time, they managed to pull through, even after a rough first half. Their coach, Randy Bennett, had to call out some players, including Marciulionis, at halftime. Ross mentioned that the team talked it over and stayed composed in the second half. Saint Mary's had a clear advantage in size and strength. They outrebounded Vanderbilt and blocked several shots, wearing down their opponents. Vanderbilt's coach, Mark Byington, admitted that the physicality of Saint Mary's players took a toll on his team. The Commodores missed several close shots and open 3-pointers, which ultimately cost them the game. Marciulionis hit a couple of 3-pointers after returning to the game, securing the win for Saint Mary's. Vanderbilt had a chance to tie the game with a 3-pointer by Devin McGlockton, but it missed the mark. The Gaels will now face Alabama, a team known for its high-scoring offense. Saint Mary's, on the other hand, is known for its strong defense, which will be crucial in their next matchup.