News Summary
In a heart-wrenching first-round duel at the NCAA Tournament, the Vanderbilt Commodores fell to the Saint Mary’s Gaels with a close score of 59-56. After a strong start, the Commodores struggled to maintain their lead as the Gaels made a comeback, ultimately sealing Vanderbilt’s exit from the tournament. Although Vanderbilt showed determination, the season concluded with a record of 20-12, while Saint Mary’s moves forward to face Alabama in the next round.
Vanderbilt Commodores Eliminate in Heartbreaking NCAA Tournament First Round
In the bustling city of Cleveland, a nail-biter unfolded at Rocket Arena as the Vanderbilt Commodores faced off against the Saint Mary’s Gaels in the first round of the NCAA East Region. The tension was palpable as fans held their breath until the very last seconds of the game, but sadly for Commodores supporters, the outcome was not in their favor. The final score read 59-56 in favor of the Gaels, sending Vanderbilt packing from the tournament.
A Shaky Start for Saint Mary’s
The Gaels came into this match with a solid record of 28-5 and were a No. 7 seed, but it was clear that they faced their own struggles early on. Saint Mary’s shot only 34.6% from the field in the first half, landing just 9 of their 26 attempts. Just days prior, they had a dismal showing in their West Coast Conference (WCC) title game against Gonzaga, which marked a disappointing slump for a team that had previously taken the WCC regular-season title.
Commodores Take the Lead
Vanderbilt, on the other hand, began the game strong. The Commodores led by as much as 12 points in the first half, showcasing their determination to make a deep run in the tournament. However, as the game progressed, the tides began to turn.
Marciulionis Makes a Comeback
As the second half approached, the Gaels’ key player, Augustas Marciulionis, who had been named the WCC Player of the Year, found himself in foul trouble. He spent considerable time on the bench after picking up his fourth foul just 3 minutes into the half. However, he made a grand re-entrance with 8:48 remaining, sinking a critical 3-pointer with 6:40 left on the clock, snatching the lead for Saint Mary’s for the first time during the match.
Back-and-Forth Battle
Not to be outdone, Vanderbilt’s own Jason Edwards responded with a 3-pointer that tied the game, only for Marciulionis to come back swiftly with another 3-pointer, restoring Saint Mary’s lead almost instantly. Tensions were high as the game exchanged leads within its final minutes. Luke Barrett then heightened Saint Mary’s advantage to 6 points by sinking yet another 3-pointer with just 2:03 on the clock.
A Final Push
With the clock winding down, Vanderbilt found themselves trailing by 3 points in the final seconds, desperately attempting to tie the game with two 3-point shots. Unfortunately for the Commodores, time ran out before they could secure a basket, allowing Jordan Ross to wrestle for a rebound as the buzzer sounded.
A Standout Performance
Despite the nail-biting loss, Jordan Ross proved to be an asset for the Commodores, emerging as the team’s leading scorer in the second half with 13 points, tallying a total of 15 points overall. Meanwhile, Marciulionis notched 14 points for the Gaels, significantly contributing to their hard-fought victory. Jason Edwards led all scoring for Vanderbilt with an impressive 18 points, including two crucial 3-pointers.
Looking Ahead
With this win, Saint Mary’s advances to the round of 32 to challenge top-seeded Alabama, while this match marks the end of a promising season for Vanderbilt, who concluded their run with a record of 20-12. Vanderbilt’s head coach, Mark Byington, will gain valuable experience in his first year steering the Commodores, while Randy Bennett continues his 24-year tenure at the helm of Saint Mary’s.
In Summary
The NCAA Tournament is always full of surprises, and this first-round battle showcased the heart and determination of both teams. While Vanderbilt’s journey may have been cut short, the excitement of college basketball carries on, with fans eagerly looking forward to the next round!
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Additional Resources
- CBS News
- Wikipedia: NCAA Tournament
- Saint Mary’s Gaels Official Site
- Google Search: NCAA Tournament
- East Bay Times
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NCAA Tournament
- AP News
- Google News: Saint Mary’s vs Vanderbilt
