MORAGA, Calif. -- Jordan Ford made a wide open 3-pointer with 45.3 seconds to go and Saint Mary's won its program-record 30th game of the season with an 85-81 victory over Washington on Monday night to reach the NIT quarterfinals.
Washington freshman Jaylen Nowell answered with a deep 3 to pull to 82-79 at 33.5 but Saint Mary's worked the clock down to 12.8 before Ford sealed it with two free throws.
Ford scored 22 of his 26 points in the second half. Evan Fitzner added a season-high 20 points off the bench for Saint Mary's (30-5) and Emmett Naar had 12 assists.