The Saint Mary's Gaels knew they would have their hands full with the Purdue Boilermakers. For all the preparing the team did this week, they knew they would need to hit their outside shots if they hoped to have any chance of winning and advancing to the round of 32. SMC shot just 31.4% from the field in the first half, including 1-for-15 from behind the arc, and trail Purdue by a score of 31-24.
Rob Jones led the Gaels with six points and missed all five of his 3-point attempts. Matthew Dellavedova had just three points in the half, while Mitchell Young had six points and four rebounds off the bench. St. Mary's can only hope their shots start to fall in the second half, because they were simply missing wide open looks that they normally hit.
Terone Johnson led the Boilermakers with 15 points and did so making six of his eight shots from the field. Robbie Hummel scored five and brought down six rebounds, while Anthony Johnson provided Purdue with six off the bench.
The second half is about to get underway from Omaha. TruTV is airing the game live.
Brackets on the brain? Us too! Play Yahoo! Tourney Pick'em and be a part of the craziest month of college basketball. It is fun, easy, and free. For more coverage of St. Mary's in the 2012 NCAA Tournament, visit the SB Nation Bay Area NCAA Tournament Storystream. Click here for a link to our 2012 NCAA Bracket. And of course, make sure and get your printable bracket!