Memphis survives scare from Saint Mary's

Memphis guard Joe Jackson recorded 14 points and seven assists as the Tigers survived a late rally Thursday afternoon by Saint Mary's 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 points 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 11:40 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..