Second Half Woes Afflict No 10 Vanderbilt as No. 7 St. Mary's Advances in NCAA Tournament

The Commodores squandered another lead to end the year on a four-game losing streak.

Mar 21, 2025; Cleveland, OH, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores forward Devin McGlockton (99) shoots the ball defended by St. Mary's Gaels center Mitchell Saxen (11) in the second half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Vanderbilt basketball defeated numerous ranked teams throughout the season and threaten to knock off several more but first year head coach Mark Byington's Commodore struggled to maintain leads late in games.

The issue flared up once more as No. 7 St. Mary's closed a 12-point deficit in the second half to knock off No. 10 Vanderbilt 59-56 as the Commodores saw their season come to an end in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Vanderbilt's Tyler Tanner hit a 3-point shot to open the Commodore lead to 39-27 with 16:20 to play but St. Mary's closed the final 14 minutes on a 30-17 run to advance into the second round for the third time in four seasons.

Two-time WCC Player of the Year Augustas Marčiulionis stepped up for the Gaels and his 3-point shot with 6:54 to play gave St. Mary's their first lead since early in the first half. Marčiulionis ended the game as the second leading scorer for St. Mary's with 14 points, he had eight rebounds and two assists.

The Commodores opened the game well, holding St. Mary's to just 22 points in the opening half, forcing the Gaels into 2 of 16 shooting from beyond the arc. St. Mary's heated up in the second half making 5 of 9 from deep in the second half.

St. Mary's dominated the interior out rebounding Vanderbilt 41-28 with 10 offensive rebounds leading to 10 second chance points for the Gaels. Mitchell Saxen and Luke Barrett had nearly identical double-double performances in the first round. Saxen scored 12 points and had 11 rebounds while Barrett scored 12 with 10 boards.

Vanderbilt's Jason Edwards led the 'Dores with 18 points, he added five rebounds and three assists but was the only Commodore to score double-figures in Cleveland.