PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Villanova looked vulnerable to an upset from the beginning of the N.C.A.A. tournament. The Wildcats played flat and looked uninterested for most of their first-round victory over 15th-seeded Robert Morris on Thursday and lacked urgency for most of Saturday's game against 10th-seeded St. Mary's in the South Region.

Villanova struggled to contain St. Mary's center Omar Samhan (50), who finished with 32 points.

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Although Villanova came back from deficits as large as 12 points to at least make it a game, one defining bank shot by the Gaels knocked the second-seeded Wildcats out of the tournament, 75-68.

With the score tied at 65-65 and 1 minute 16 seconds remaining, St. Mary's Mickey McConnell lobbed in a left-wing 3-pointer off the backboard. That sparked a 10-3 run to end the game, capping a taut and exciting final minutes. The teams exchanged leads and played one of the most exciting games in a tournament that has been filled with them.