AN EMPHATIC first half performance helped set up the Alabama Crimson Tide for a 12-point win over the Saint Mary’s Gaels and book a spot in the Sweet 16 in the NCAA National Tournament on Monday afternoon.

The Crimson Tide came into the match looking strong, having built a balanced roster that is capable of posting a winning score on any given night. However, the Gaels were certainly capable of causing an upset, and even boasted a trio of Aussies on their list.

The first half ended up deciding the contest, with the Crimson Tide sharing the love on the offensive end and jumping out to a 13-point lead at half time. Although Saint Mary’s certainly improved in the second half on both ends of the floor, the damage was already done as Alabama advanced to the next stage of the tournament.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will be casting an eye over how the key players performed in the match, as some of the NCAAM’s best and brightest continue to display their craft on a nightly basis.

Alabama Crimson Tide (80) def. Saint Mary’s Gaels (68)

ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE:

#1 Mark Sears
Guard | 19/02/2002 | 185cm

The point guard was not quite able to reach the lofty heights of some of his previous outings, but still chimed in for some important production on the offensive end when it was all said and done. He dealt with foul trouble in the first half, which limited his output and court time in a frustrating start to the contest. When he was on the floor, Sears dealt with plenty of defensive pressure, but worked through the coverage to still post 12 points on 5/15 shooting from the field. The Senior is built for big games and should be a massive piece in the Sweet 16.

#8 Chris Youngblood
Guard | 09/02/2002 | 193cm

It was an important performance from Youngblood, who led all comers on the scoring front for the Crimson Tide in an efficient performance. He was particularly instrumental in the decisive first half, posting 10 points in the first 20 minutes and helping the team in building a solid buffer. He was getting his eye in from behind the arc early in the match, and nailed a couple of early triples which was crucial in getting the Crimson Tide out to a double-digit lead. He was quieter in the second half, but still played a key role in the victory with 13 points on 4/5 shooting from the field and a seriously impressive 3/3 shooting from long range.

SAINT MARY’S GAELS:

#1 Harry Wessels
Center | 06/08/2002 | 216cm

The pick of the Aussie bunch, Wessels was seriously impressive off the bench as he has been all season, making every post a winner and can certainly hold his head high despite the result. He was injected into the game five minutes into the first half and had an immediate impact with four points in less than a minute as a result of his nous inside the paint. He had nine points in the first half and was crucial in keeping the Gaels in the hunt. Although he was more limited in the final 20 minutes, it was still an eye-catching showing from the Junior big man, who ended the match with 12 points and eight boards in an exciting sign for the future.

#11 Mitchell Saxen
Center | 01/01/2001 | 208cm

The Gaels’ best player in a tough loss, the big man never stopped trying despite the opposition jumping out to an early lead and was one of the more impactful players on the court. The Gaels were trying hard to get the ball in his hands in the low block, and he worked well in the pick and roll to find himself open underneath the hoop. He was also not afraid to throw his weight around in the low block, and maintained active hands on the defensive end to generate scores in transition with three steals. Saxen finished his 2025 campaign with a game-high 15 points on 7/12 shooting in a positive outing to cap off an impressive campaign.