The St. Mary’s Gaels have only lost to one team since Christmas, and they are being rewarded with a spot in the 2013 NCAA Tournament.
Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczedpanski.
St. Mary’s squeaked into the 68-team tournament as one of the last four at-large teams, and they will play Middle Tennessee tonight in the second game of the First Four. The Gaels finished the season with a record of 27-6, while the Blue Raiders finished 28-5. The Gaels have beaten three teams that are currently in the tournament: 15th-seeded Pacific (74-46), 14th-seeded Harvard (70-69) and seventh-seeded Creighton (74-66).
Matthew Dellavedova leads the Gaels with 15.8 points per game (PPG), while Marcos Knight led Middle Tennessee State with 12.5 PPG. St. Mary’s was 23rd in the nation with 75.5 PPG as a team, while Middle Tennessee is 85th with 71.2 PPG. St. Mary’s is tied for 63rd in the nation with 37.1 rebounds per game (RPG), while Middle Tennessee is tied for 76th with 36.8 RPG.
Both teams have put up good numbers, and the Blue Raiders had won 17 games in a row before bowing out of the Sun Belt conference tournament early. The winner will play the Memphis Tigers on Thursday, and both teams want that spot. Who will get it? Find out with live blog updates here.
Correction: Dellavedova was 5-for-7 from downtown, not 5-for-6. Still, a very impressive night from the star guard.
Stay tuned for a full recap with analysis of the game on Golden Gate Sports. Thanks for following, and we’ll see you Thursday when the Gaels take on Memphis!
1. Matthew Dellavedova. Dellavedova impressed scouts and was lights-out from downtown while spreading the ball around as well. Dellavedova finished with 22.
2. Stephen Holt. Holt scored 18, relentlessly attacking the hoop and penetrated the MTSU defense. Holt recorded six rebounds and made six of eight free throws.
3. Beau Levesque. Levesque hit some tough shots and got to the line a lot, making 6 of his 9 free throw attempts. Levesque finished with 13.
The three stars are…
St. Mary’s wins 67-54 in a hard-fought game. The Gaels shot 45.7 percent and received a combined 40 points from Stephen Holt and Matthew Dellavedova.
That’s it from Dayton! The Gaels are headed to the second round!
NBA scouts have to be impressed with Dellavedova. He’s 5-for-6 from downtown and has 22 points.
After the teams trade buckets, Dellavedova rebounds a MTSU misses and officially seals the win. Just 16.7 seconds remain.
Both foul shots are nailed by Levesque, who has 13.
MTSU goes into foul mode after Knight missed a free throw. SMC is in the bonus, and Levesque will go to the line for a one-and-one.
Saint Mary’s takin Middle Tenn St to school 2nite. Coach Randy Bennett on his gm! #Gaels
— Monte Poole (@1MontePoole) March 20, 2013
Knight makes a baseline layup and draws a foul, so it’s 62-52. 42.3 seconds remain.
“St. Mary’s is on its way to the second round” says Marv Albert. @smcgaels 62 , @mt_mbb 50 with 57.5 to play
— March Madness TV (@MarchMadnessTV) March 20, 2013
Yeah, it’s over.
Marcos Knight now has 27 double figure scoring games this season. Raiders trail 59-48 with 2:40 left
— MT Athletics (@MTAthletics) March 20, 2013
A nice personal achievement for night, who was aggressive and made some impressive shots down low. However, it won’t be enough.
61 seconds remain in Middle Tennessee’s season, while the Gaels will be preparing for Memphis.
Holt has scored the last eight points for SMC. He has 18 after making one of two free throws, and the Gaels have their largest lead of the night: 62-48.
It’s going to be incredibly difficult for MTSU to dig out of this hole.. Dellavedova and Holt have combined for 38 of the Gaels’ 61 points.
Holt easily splits the defense on a great drive and finish. Gaels back up by 13 as they look to seal the deal.
MTSU is 100 percent from the line. However, they somehow have just four free throws attempts, while SMC is 13-for-19.
Holt sinks both shots and he has 15. 59-48 Gaels.
Holt, who has 13 big points, was fouled on a nice drive.
Less than three minutes remain! 57-48.
RT @dufresnelatimes: Hey, wadda ya mean St. Mary’s didn’t play anybody? Beat league champs Pacific, Harvard, Creighton#GoGaels
— Saint Mary’s Gaels (@smcgaels) March 20, 2013
And likely at-large selection Middle Tennessee…
St. Mary’s has two more timeouts, while the Blue Raiders have one.
MBK | #GoGaels have 8 three-point field goals tonight, tying the #SMC record for treys in a postseason game. #MoneyBall
— Saint Mary’s Gaels (@smcgaels) March 20, 2013
There’s no doubt about it: the Gaels, especially Dellavedova, have been money from beyond the arc.
2nd largest deficit of the year faced by MTSU. 57-46 now.
MBK | Holt trey gives #GoGaels a game-high 13-point lead at 57-44. #MTSU calls a timeout. 4:13 left.
— Saint Mary’s Gaels (@smcgaels) March 20, 2013
Is the game over yet?
Could that be the dagger? Holt drains a three on the corner and it’s 57-44 St. Mary’s!
Under 5 minutes left.
Gaels have 17 FT attempts and Raiders have 2. 5:09 left to play in game.
— MT Athletics (@MTAthletics) March 20, 2013
54-44.
MBK | @matthewdelly with his 5th three-pointer of the game, the 2nd most treys for a #Gael in a postseason game.
— Saint Mary’s Gaels (@smcgaels) March 20, 2013
Dellavedova stays hot with another three pointer as the #Gaels stretch their lead to 12. @smcgaels 54 , @mt_mbb 42 with 5:53 to go
— March Madness TV (@MarchMadnessTV) March 20, 2013
Just 5:53 left as a timeout is called. MTSU is almost out of time to make one last rally.
Brad Waldow picks up a loose ball and finishes a sloppy play with a tough layup! The Gaels are up 54-42, which is their biggest lead of the night!
St. Mary’s is pulling away again. They have the ball up 52-42 with about six minutes left. AND MTSU is in foul trouble. It’s good to be a Gael.
Dellavedova drains ANOTHER triple! 21 points and 5-for-6 from downtown!
Raiders have foul trouble with 4 on Hunter, and 3 each on Hammonds and M. Knight.
— MT Athletics (@MTAthletics) March 20, 2013
If MTSU needs to foul late, this isn’t good.
5-second violation on Middle Tennessee. Gaels ball, about seven minutes left.
MBK | Media TO with 7:25 left, #GoGaels own 49-42 lead. Delly 18, Levesque 11, Holt 10 all in double figures.#ComeOn
— Saint Mary’s Gaels (@smcgaels) March 20, 2013
While St. Mary’s only has 49 points, players are scoring.
Hunter, who has 10, also has four fouls.
Levesque makes up for his missed free throws with a great drive and finish. 49-42 with about 8:30 left.
Levesque misses two crucial free throws. Still 47-42.
The #Gaels respond with some buckets to get their lead back up to 5 with 9:43 to go. @smcgaels 47 , @mt_mbb 42
— March Madness TV (@MarchMadnessTV) March 20, 2013
After some great defense from St. Mary’s in the first half, MTSU has responded with buckets.
Gaels call a timeout leading 47-42 with 9:43 to play. Massey and Cintron have checked in
— MT Athletics (@MTAthletics) March 20, 2013
We have a nice game unfolding here!
Both teams trade points. Knight has 8 for MTSU now.
MTSU is 9-for-14 this half, and trailing by just 5 with 20 points in under 10 mins this half.
Holt with the steal and layup! The Gaels take the momentum and a 45-38 lead!
Levesque makes both free throws for SMC. The Gaels are 11-for-15 from the charity stripe.
MTSU is shooting 42 percent, compared to 38 from SMC. However, they have made two less shots from downtown and have attempted 13 less free throws.
Dellavedova heading to the line to shoot two foul shots. 11:48 left.
7-0 run by the Raiders trims Saint Mary’s lead to 41-38.
— MT Athletics (@MTAthletics) March 20, 2013
Knight finishes on a fastbreak and the Gaels call timeout! 41-38 SMC leads, as a 10-2 MTSU run breaks this game open.
Hammonds has 10 as he drains a triple! About 13 minutes in the game and it’s 41-36! We have a game!
Neiko Hunter leading MT with 10, Hammonds 7
— MT Athletics (@MTAthletics) March 20, 2013
After a cold streak in the 1st Dellavedova is on fire. His 18 points lead the #Gaels. @smcgaels 41 , @mt_mbb 31 with 14:26 to play
— March Madness TV (@MarchMadnessTV) March 20, 2013
Dellavedova has been somewhat on-and-off, but he’s scoring and helping SMC a ton.
Saint Mary’s leads 41-31 with 14:26 to play. Little more offense from the Raiders but now giving up too many on the other end.
— MT Athletics (@MTAthletics) March 20, 2013
The Blue Raiders had to score. Now, they need to play D.
Holt had the huge tip-in. Just over 14 minutes remain in the game, and the Gaels are up by 10.
Kerry Hammonds hit a three for MTSU, but the Gaels are back up 41-31 after a tip-in.
Dellavedova has it today. 18 points and four triples for the star guard.
Neiko Hunter has 10 points, and he’s helping MTSU stay in this. 36-28.
Young makes two free throws, and the Gaels have their largest lead: 36-26.
Dellavedova hits a huge three with the shot clock winding down! 15 points for Dellavedova as the Gaels lead 34-26. Marcos Knight with back-to-back makes.
Marcos Knight with a HUGE follow-up shot after a missed triple.
Brad Waldow puts the ball in after a couple of misses. The layup makes it 31-22.
MTSU made a field goal, ending a drought of one field goal in over 10 minutes! Young cuts the lead to 29-22.
We are getting started in the first half, as announcer Marv Albert praises the St. Mary’s defense-again.
Teams are back on the floor. 2nd half about to get underway.
— MT Athletics (@MTAthletics) March 20, 2013
MBK | It’s a packed house at Stadium Pub in Walnut Creek for tonight’s SMC game! One half to go! #gogaels
— Saint Mary’s Gaels (@smcgaels) March 20, 2013
The Bay Area loves their sports!
Charles Barkley: “Steve Kerr said Saint Mary’s is playing ‘Big Ten defense’…#MTSU is playing Big Ten offensive football…ground & pound.”
— March Madness TV (@MarchMadnessTV) March 20, 2013
Bright spot on the stat sheet for MT is 7 assists on its 8 FGs.
— MT Athletics (@MTAthletics) March 20, 2013
After watching the Gaels smother MTSU in the first half, I’ll predict a 57-44 win for the Gaels.
Halftime: St. Mary’s leads 29-20 against Middle Tennessee: bit.ly/ZRUmgf
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 20, 2013
Over last 10 minutes of half, MT was outscored 16-4 and hit just one FG but still only down 9.
— MT Athletics (@MTAthletics) March 20, 2013
It could be worse for MTSU, but they didn’t help themselves over the second part of the first half.
The first half ends with St. Mary’s up 29-20. Middle Tennessee is missing close shots, but they have also made just one field goal in the last 9:55.
RT @dufresnelatimes: Steve Kerr: “Saint Mary’s playing Big Ten defense right now.”#GoGaels
— Saint Mary’s Gaels (@smcgaels) March 20, 2013
They’re certainly dominating on D.
After a close miss, Levesque works for his own rebound and hits the first free throws. 29-20 Gaels, as they look to close the half strong.
A dreadful run from MTSU. Great defense by St. Mary’s, as they are outworking the Blue Raiders. Outside of a triple from Cintron, MTSU hasn’t had any open loks.
Saint Mary’s holds 10-2 edge on points off turnovers and 9-2 advantage on fastbreak points.
— MT Athletics (@MTAthletics) March 20, 2013
1:43 in the first half, and the Gaels are on a 15-4 run. SMC ball.
MTSU has one field goal in well over eight minutes now.
Dellavedova has 12 points, and St. Mary’s has their largest lead of the night-28-20.
The first shot of the one-and-one is nailed by Dellavedova, who has 11 points on 4-for-10 shooting.
Dellavedova has a one-and-one.
Saint Mary’s holds 10-2 edge on points off turnovers and 9-2 advantage on fastbreak points.
— MT Athletics (@MTAthletics) March 20, 2013
MTSU has six turnovers, while SMC has just three.
MBK | Final Media TO of the half, #GoGaels leading 26-20 with 2:51 left. #SMC shooting .429, #MTSU shooting .400.#Gaels 4-6 from 3pt
— Saint Mary’s Gaels (@smcgaels) March 20, 2013
Despite imperfect play, the Gaels are shooting well and playing good defense. MTSU is working hard for open shots, and that’s great for the Gaels.
Dellavedova to Brad Waldow for the alley-oop! 26-20 Gaels!
24-20 SMC, Gaels ball.
MBK | @matthewdelly into double figures with his 10th points with less than 5:00 left in the 1st half.#GoGaels up 24-18
— Saint Mary’s Gaels (@smcgaels) March 20, 2013
Both teams are in the bonus now. Neiko Hunter swished the first free throw attempt of the night for MTSU.
A GREAT floater from Dellavedova. He has 10, and the Gaels are up 24-18 on a 6-0 run.
The Gaels are passing well. Levesque had a nice, easy lane to the hoop along the baseline on his three-point play.
Beau Levesque with the bucket and the foul! The 3-point play is complete, and it’s 22-18.
MT went 3:48 without a FG before Hunter just scored. MT tied 18-18
— MT Athletics (@MTAthletics) March 20, 2013
After three straight foul misses, Holt makes the second to give St. Mary’s the lead. 19-18, 5.5 minutes in the half.
Tie game. Holt is going to the free throw line for two shots after a nice drive.
Somehow, Dellavedova misses a pair of free throws.
MTSU has a bonus, meaning a foul on SMC is a one-and-one for the Blue Raiders.
“We got a good one here” says @stevekerrtnt as @smcgaels have an 18-16 lead over @mt_mbb with 7:32 to play in the 1st half #FirstFour
— March Madness TV (@MarchMadnessTV) March 20, 2013
It’s definitely a good game, and it’s going to go down to the wire.
MBK | @sholt503 hits a trey to give the #GoGaels a 18-16 lead. 7:32 left.#trythisagain
— Saint Mary’s Gaels (@smcgaels) March 20, 2013
Sloppy basketball, but they are winning.
Holt shot just 34.2 percent from downtown and 41.4 percent overall, but he has St. Mary’s last five points. 7:32 in the first half and a T.V. timeout.
Holt drains one! The streak is over, and the Gaels lead 18-16.
Seven straight misses for the Gaels. They’ve had some good looks, but judging from Dellavedova’s last deep three, it looks like they’re in panic mode.
No field goals in the last 5 and a half minutes for St. Mary’s. Still, they trail by just one.
Stephen Holt halts 7-0 run with two free throws, and after a board, it’s Gaels ball.
Three consecutive fouls by the Gaels. After that, Raymond Cintron, a 44 percent three-point shooter, nails one. 16-13 MTSU.
Neiko Hunter fouled. It will be an inbound for MTSU.
Foul on Mitchell Young of the Gaels after a rebound from MTSU.
Another tight #FirstFour game as @smcgaels and @mt_mbb are tied at 13 with 11:39 to play in the half. #MarchMadness
— March Madness TV (@MarchMadnessTV) March 20, 2013
The committee is looking smart. MTSU and SMC are playing good basketball, while bubble team and defending champion Kentucky lost to Robert Morris in the NIT.
MBK | Game tied 13-13, both teams shooting over 50% so far.
— Saint Mary’s Gaels (@smcgaels) March 20, 2013
Beau Levesque with a three on some great passing by SMC. 13-11 Gaels.
Dellavedova has 8 points in the first 6 minutes while the #Gaels hold a 1 point edge. @smcgaels 10 , @mt_mbb 9 with 14:23 to go in the half
— March Madness TV (@MarchMadnessTV) March 20, 2013
Timeout on the floor. 14:21 in first half, Gaels up 10-9.
Marcos Knight is a guard, but he didn’t act like it on his last bucket. 10-9, MTSU ball.
MTSU shoots 38 percent from downtown and 46 percent overall. It’s 10-7, as Dellavedova cashed in on a steal.
MBK | @matthewdelly with back-2-back treys, gives the #GoGaels an 8-5 lead with 16:03 left.#WCC
— Saint Mary’s Gaels (@smcgaels) March 20, 2013
Three-point flurry as Dellavedova knocks ANOTHER one down! 6 points in under 4 minutes, and it’s 8-5!
Massey has 5, and we’re tied at 5. 16:10 in the first.
Dellavedova follows a short hook shot with an open triple, and it’s 5-2 Gaels!
Bruce Massey gets things going for @mt_mbb with a layup against @smcgaels #FirstFour
— March Madness TV (@MarchMadnessTV) March 20, 2013
Bruce Massey, a guard for MTSU, opens up the scoring on a fastbreak layup.
Shawn Jones goes down with the board and hits HARD. He appears to be alright. 0-0, 1:56 in.
Great D by MTSU. Dellavedova had nothing going until he kicked it out for a missed three. 0-0.
Smitty on #Gaels‘ Matthew Dellavedova: “He’s the leader of this team by far. He’s going to demand that his team plays hard.” #FirstFour
— March Madness TV (@MarchMadnessTV) March 20, 2013
Not much going for the Bay Area, with Cal being the only other tourney team as a 12 seed. A SMC win would be nice for the Bay, which has enjoyed LOTS of sports success.
The studio picks are in: Charles takes @mt_mbb…Smitty & @greganthony50 go w/ @smcgaels. #FirstFour continues on @trutv #MarchMadness
— March Madness TV (@MarchMadnessTV) March 20, 2013
And I’ve got the Gaels.
Shawn Jones with a great block! 35 seconds in, no score.
And we’re off! Tip goes to MTSU.
Blue Raiders with three guards, two forwards. Not a great rebounding team-76th in nation.
Dellavedova is 16th in the nation in assists, but he’s got to face a tough defense. Nice O-vs-D battle with the offense of the Gaels and the D of MTSU.
MBK | Starters: #Gaels – Waldow, Young, Holt, Giusti, Dellavedova.MTSU – Jones, Massey, Knight, Hammonds, Sulton. #GoGaels
— Saint Mary’s Gaels (@smcgaels) March 20, 2013
TruTV March Madness analysts are balanced when picking the game. I’ve got St. Mary’s in a relatively high-scoring game, using their offensive skill in a 76-70 win.
We’re about ready to tip off in Dayton!
And on to the next one! St. Mary’s vs. Middle Tennessee to play No. 6 Memphis. bit.ly/ZRK0gd
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 20, 2013
We’re ready!
#FirstFour continues with @mt_mbb vs. @smcgaels at 9:22 PM ET on @trutv with Marv Albert @stevekerrtnt & Craig Sager on the call
— March Madness TV (@MarchMadnessTV) March 20, 2013
It’ll start soon.
As for MTSU, they haven’t been dancing since 1989.
As a 10 seed in 2012, St. Mary’s lost to Purdue 72-69. However, in 2010, with Delladova, they made the Sweet 16 and knocked off second-seeded Villanova.
Before losing to Gonzaga in the WCC Finals, SMC had won 14 of 15.
St. Mary’s is 3-4 against tourney teams, but three of those losses came against top-ranked Gonzaga and one came to Pacific, a team they later beat by 28.
MTSU is 3-3 against tournament teams, with two wins over 16th-seeded Western Kentucky and a win over 12th-seeded Ole Miss.
North Carolina A&T survives in a thriller, so the start of St. Mary’s-MTSU should be on time.
Delladova could be playing his last game with the Gaels (if St. Mary’s loses). If that is the case, he wants to make an impression on scouts.
North Carolina A&T and Liberty are going down to the wire, and it could delay the start of the St. Mary’s-MTSU game.
Marcos Knight leads the Blue Raiders with 12.5 PPG.
Winner takes on Memphis at 11:45 AM PT on Thursday.
The Blue Raiders had won 17 in a row before losing to Florida International in the Sun Belt tourney, while SMC has beaten three tourney teams (Harvard, Pacific and Creighton).
Matthew Delladova is averaging 15.8 points per game (PPG) and 6.4 assists per game (APG) for the Gaels. St. Mary’s is 27-6, while the Blue Raiders are 28-5.
Welcome to our First Four live blog! St. Mary’s and Middle Tennessee will tip off around 6:10 PM PT.
Topics: March Madness, Matthew Delladova, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, St. Mary's Gaels, St. Mary's Gaels Basketball
I am a kid who is very enthusiastic about sports, especially football and baseball. I love the Broncos, 49ers and Giants, and I will write about the 49ers, (San Francisco) Giants, occasionally Cal football and occasionally fantasy sports. I love to interact with readers, so feel free tweet me or comment on one of my articles. Football is my favorite sport, and Peyton Manning and Colin Kaepernick are my favorite players.
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