The sixth-seeded Villanova Wildcats' title defense remains on course after the defending champions defeated the 11th-seeded Saint Mary's Gaels 61-57 on Thursday in the opening round of the 2019 NCAA men's basketball tournament in Hartford, Connecticut.
Phil Booth finished with 20 points and six assists in the win, while Eric Paschall chipped in with 14 points and six rebounds.
Jordan Ford and Malik Fitts—36.6 combined points per game—were big reasons for Saint Mary's regular-season success and West Coast Conference tournament title. Together they had 26 points on 11-of-28 shooting for the Gaels.
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