In a game that the Gaels of St. Mary's College controlled, the Washington Huskies still managed to rally to make things sticky down the stretch.

After opening a lead by as many as 16 points, the WCC runners-up St, Mary's staved off a furious rally by the Huskies to win 85-81.

The loss ends Washington's season despite a dramatic turnaround with first-year coach Bob Hopkins.

The Gaels advance to the Elite Eight of the NIT to face another Pac-12 team in second-seeded Utah.

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