Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Saint Mary’s Gaels Box Score – March 23, 2025

In a thrilling and highly anticipated NCAA Tournament matchup, the Alabama Crimson Tide faced off against the Saint Mary’s Gaels on March 23, 2025. Both teams entered the game with high expectations, as Alabama, known for their fast-paced and aggressive style of play, faced a Saint Mary’s team that prides itself on disciplined offense and a gritty defensive game. The game did not disappoint, delivering moments of intensity, precision, and clutch performances.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the box score, along with key moments and player highlights from this exciting NCAA Tournament contest:

Final Score

Alabama Crimson Tide: 79
Saint Mary’s Gaels: 68

The Crimson Tide advanced to the next round with a solid 79-68 victory, although Saint Mary’s made a late charge, showcasing their resilience and pushing Alabama to the limit.

Alabama Crimson Tide: Key Players and Performance

Brandon Miller (Forward)

Points: 23
Rebounds: 9
Assists: 3
Steals: 2
Field Goals: 8-15
3-Point Field Goals: 3-7
Free Throws: 4-4

Brandon Miller, one of the standout players in college basketball this season, put on an all-around performance that proved why he’s a potential NBA draft pick. His 23 points led the way for Alabama, and his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game was key to the Tide’s success. His scoring in the first half was critical in helping Alabama establish a lead, and his energy on the boards helped Alabama control the glass throughout the game.

Miller’s versatility stood out—he knocked down three three-pointers and also capitalized on his ability to drive the lane. He played solid defense, contributing two steals and adding pressure to Saint Mary’s perimeter players.

Jahvon Quinerly (Guard)

Points: 18
Rebounds: 4
Assists: 5
Field Goals: 6-12
3-Point Field Goals: 2-5
Free Throws: 4-4

Jahvon Quinerly played a pivotal role in Alabama’s victory, contributing 18 points and dishing out 5 assists. His ability to control the tempo of the game and facilitate the offense was crucial, especially in the second half when Saint Mary’s tried to make a push. Quinerly’s proficiency at the free-throw line, making all four attempts, also helped Alabama maintain their lead in the final moments. His 5 assists showcased his ability to run the offense, creating opportunities for teammates to score.

Noah Clowney (Forward)

Points: 12
Rebounds: 7
Assists: 1
Field Goals: 5-10
3-Point Field Goals: 1-3
Free Throws: 1-2

Noah Clowney had another solid outing, contributing 12 points and 7 rebounds. His presence inside the paint, both offensively and defensively, made a difference. Clowney’s physicality on the boards helped Alabama secure extra possessions, and his ability to stretch the floor with a made three-pointer kept the defense honest.

Mark Sears (Guard)

Points: 9
Rebounds: 2
Assists: 3
Field Goals: 3-8
3-Point Field Goals: 1-4
Free Throws: 2-2

While his scoring was not as prolific as some of his teammates, Mark Sears played a vital supporting role for the Tide. With 9 points, he was able to contribute in the backcourt, handling pressure from Saint Mary’s guards and making key passes in the halfcourt offense. Sears’ clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch also helped ice the game for Alabama.

Saint Mary’s Gaels: Key Players and Performance

Logan Johnson (Guard)

Points: 22
Rebounds: 3
Assists: 5
Steals: 1
Field Goals: 7-14
3-Point Field Goals: 3-6
Free Throws: 5-6

Logan Johnson’s performance was one of the bright spots for Saint Mary’s in a losing effort. Johnson did his best to keep the Gaels in the game, scoring 22 points, including hitting 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. His ability to create scoring opportunities both for himself and his teammates kept Saint Mary’s within striking distance throughout the game. Johnson’s 5 assists and 1 steal showed that he could both score and facilitate for his team.

Aidan Mahaney (Guard)

Points: 15
Rebounds: 4
Assists: 4
Field Goals: 6-13
3-Point Field Goals: 2-5
Free Throws: 1-1

Aidan Mahaney, a dynamic playmaker for Saint Mary’s, finished with 15 points and 4 assists. Mahaney showed his offensive versatility with efficient shooting, including a couple of key three-pointers. While he wasn’t able to completely disrupt Alabama’s defense, his ability to score in multiple ways kept Saint Mary’s hopes alive. His performance on the boards also contributed to the Gaels’ effort to stay competitive.

Alex Ducas (Forward)

Points: 13
Rebounds: 6
Assists: 1
Field Goals: 5-12
3-Point Field Goals: 3-7
Free Throws: 0-1

Alex Ducas had a solid outing for Saint Mary’s, scoring 13 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. Ducas’ three-point shooting was important in trying to close the gap, as he knocked down 3 three-pointers. However, his inability to get to the free-throw line or make plays in critical moments limited his impact when the Gaels were trying to make a run.

Mitchell Saxen (Center)

Points: 9
Rebounds: 7
Assists: 1
Field Goals: 4-9
3-Point Field Goals: 0-0
Free Throws: 1-3

Mitchell Saxen played a significant role on both ends of the floor for Saint Mary’s. Although he finished with 9 points and 7 rebounds, his efforts were overshadowed by the superior size and athleticism of Alabama’s frontline. Saxen’s free-throw struggles (1-3) hurt the Gaels when it came to cutting into the deficit in the second half.

Game Recap: Alabama’s Key Moments and Execution

The first half of the game was a back-and-forth affair, with Alabama establishing a 10-point lead early, only to see Saint Mary’s battle back behind the strong play of Johnson and Mahaney. However, as the second half unfolded, Alabama’s talent and depth began to shine through.

Alabama’s defense was suffocating, especially during key stretches when the Gaels attempted to gain momentum. The Crimson Tide’s ability to create turnovers and transition into fast breaks was a critical factor in their success. They outscored Saint Mary’s in the fast break, 22-10, and this transition offense helped them pull away.

As the game neared its conclusion, Alabama’s superior shooting—particularly from three-point range—made it increasingly difficult for Saint Mary’s to close the gap. Alabama finished shooting 44% from three, compared to Saint Mary’s 34%.

Despite a valiant effort from Saint Mary’s, including key performances from Johnson and Mahaney, they could not overcome the Tide’s offensive firepower and depth. Alabama controlled the glass, finishing with a 42-29 rebounding advantage, which helped them limit Saint Mary’s second-chance opportunities and maintain possession.

Alabama Moves On

In the end, the Alabama Crimson Tide showcased their dominance in the NCAA Tournament with a commanding 79-68 victory over the Saint Mary’s Gaels. While Saint Mary’s gave a strong effort, especially from their backcourt duo of Logan Johnson and Aidan Mahaney, Alabama’s athleticism, depth, and well-rounded team play were too much to overcome.

Brandon Miller was the standout player, but Alabama’s success in this game came from their ability to work as a team, especially on the defensive end and in transition. With the victory, Alabama advances to the next round of the NCAA Tournament, where they will face even stiffer competition as they look to make a run toward the national title.

For Saint Mary’s, their tournament run comes to an end, but the Gaels showed they could compete with some of the best teams in the country, and their future remains bright under head coach Randy Bennett.

Alabama will look to build on this momentum as they continue their march through the NCAA Tournament, with eyes set on the ultimate prize—the National Championship.