Memphis holds on to beat Saint Mary's 54-52

By SportsDirect Inc. (89)

Thursday, March 21, 2013
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

Joe Jackson recorded 14 points and seven assists and the Tigers survived a late rally by the Gaels in the second round of the Midwest Regional at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Tarik Black and Adonis Thomas added 12 points each for Memphis (31-4), which will play Michigan State on Saturday with a Sweet 16 bid on the line. D.J. Stephens chipped in with nine points and a career-best eight blocked shots for the Tigers, who advanced after Matthew Dellavedova's 3-pointer missed at the buzzer.

Brad Waldow scored 17 points and Dellavedova contributed 10 on 3-of-13 shooting for Saint Mary's (28-7), which beat Middle Tennessee in the First Four on Tuesday. Eividas Petrulis banked in a 3-pointer with 3.1 seconds to go and the Gaels forced a turnover to set up Dellavedova's final try to win it.

Memphis trailed by two early before scoring 19 of the next 21 points -- eight by Jackson -- to take a 28-13 lead. The Tigers held Saint Mary's to 31 percent shooting and 0-of-6 from 3-point range in the opening 20 minutes, settling for a 32-22 lead at intermission.

Dellavedova, who finished with seven assists, drained a 3-pointer to start the second half and Saint Mary's later trimmed the lead to 36-33 with 11:39 to go. The Gaels were within 44-40 before Jackson made a big 3-pointer with 3:55 left.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Stephens has blocked 19 shots in the last three games. ... The Tigers won their first NCAA Tournament game since 2009, limiting Saint Mary's to 3-of-15 from 3-point range. The Gaels were averaging almost eight 3-pointers coming in. ... Dellavedova, Saint Mary's all-time leading scorer, finished his career with 1,933 points.

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