The St. Thomas Aquinas College men's basketball team tips off at 9:00 EST against Nationally Ranked Gonzaga University in the NIT Tip-off Tournament. Over 8,000 fans are expected to be in attendance - follow along with our LiveBlog throughout the night.

Note - follow the "Audio" link to Gonzaga's live radio cast of tonight's game. The game is also available on DirectTV (channel 687)

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7:57 pm - The final buzzer sounds as the hosts post five scores in double-figures in a 109-55 win. Matt Lee leads the Spartans with 13 points, Sam Berlin adds nine, and Marcus Henderson chips in with eight. In spite of the final score, St. Thomas Aquinas leaves McCarthly Athletic Center with heads held high after a stellar effort.

7:56 pm (:38 remaining) - A late humorous moment as Chaz Watler comes up with a steal and promptly dribbles into the ref. STAC ball.

7:54 pm (1:25 remaining) - Ross Greenfield checks in for the first time and is immediately fouled, going to the line and sinking one of two.

7:48 pm (2:51 remaining) - Kyle Dranginis hits a three to put the Bulldogs over the century mark, 101-49. The teaching moments continue as Tobin Anderson utilizes a time out.

7:44 pm (3:57 remaining) - Final media timeout of the evening, but virtually nobody has left the building. Nine of the 11 Spartans in uniform have scored as STAC has scored the last six points, 98-49.

7:38 pm (6:08 remaining) - Media timeout as the hosts are within one hoop of the century mark, 98-43.

7:35 pm (7:22 remaining) - The Spartans pass the "St Joe's" threshold. Three nights ago, Division I St. Joe's recorded just 42 points in a lopsided loss at the MAC. Justin Reyes follows his own miss and kicks to James Mitchell, who drains a straightaway three to make it 94-43. Gonzaga has gone to its bench.

7:31 pm (10:18 remaining) - Spokane surrealism. Members of the student section - "The Kennel" serenade Sam Berlin at the foul line with "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." Berlin drains both foul shots.

7:28 pm (11:20 remaining) - A Division I technology moment as Justin Reyes shot is determined to have hit the rim after examination of video reply. Spartans inbound with a full shot clock.

7:25 pm (11:35 remaining) - The countdown is on as the hosts build an 81-36 lead. Eight different Spartans have gotten on the scoresheet, though Lee has been held scoreless since halftime.

7:18 pm (15:03 remaining) - McNair hits a driving layup, the Spartans' first field goal of the half.

7:16 pm - Jon McNair's free throw is STAC's lone point of the half at the first media time out, Bulldogs firmly in control, 71-27. Coach Tobin Anderson and staff continue to encourage their Spartans to execute.

7:13 pm - STAC starts the second half ice cold from the field and Gonzaga reels off the first 11 points in lightning fashion, 68-26

7:10 pm - Spartans inbound to start the second half. The capicity crowd has not lost its momentum.

6:53 PM (Halftime) - After a surprisingly strong start, the Spartans enter the locker room trailing, 57-26. To add insult to injury, Alushula Odongo picks up two fouls in the final 10 seconds to total four at break. Matt Lee leads STAC with 10 points, Marcus Henderson has six. Byron Wesley totals 18 for the Bulldogs, with Angel Nunez coming off the bench to chip in 16 and eight boards. The Spartans are being outrebounded 27-11.

6:47 pm (2:20 rem 1st) - Chaz Watler drains an elbow jumper. Matt Lee has a pair of threes and 10 first half points to lead the Spartans.

6:43 pm (3:40 remaining 1st) - Gonzaga has reeled off the last 14 points to enjoy a 45-21 cushion at the final media time out of the half.

6:37 pm (5:33 remaining 1st) - Jon McNair goes to the bench with his third foul and the hosts begin to pull away with three scorers already in double-figures; 41-21 Gonzaga.

6:32 pm (7:34 remaining 1st) - Tobin Anderson calls time. STAC is not intimidated but drives to the net are quickly rejected in a see of large bodies.

6:26 pm - Sam Berlin's 15 foot jumper from the right side brings the Spartans within 22-16, nearly the midway point of the half. But on the next trip Berlin picks up his second foul and goes to the bench.

6:21 pm - Aaron Cust beats the 35 second buzzer with a trey - media time out with 11:48 left, Spartans hanging around at 20-13.

6:19 pm - The Bulldogs have run off ten straight points as the size and strength differential begins to carry the hosts.

6:13 pm - Marcus Henderson strokes a three to tie the score at 10-10 but Wiltjer answers with an emphatic dunk.

6:09 pm PST (9:09 EST) - Matt Lee hits a duece and a trey and the Spartans lead, 5-2. Yes, the Spartans lead, 5-2.

6:06 pm PST (9:06 EST) - The intros are done, the crowd is stoked, and we're finally ready for basketball.

5:50 pm PST (8:50 EST) - The host band - pretty impressive in it's own right - belts out a rendition of "Livin' on a Prayer" and the student section of over 1,000 strong joins in. There's a ton of energy in the building.

5:43 pm PST (8:43 EST) - Gonzaga takes the floor. To a decidedly different reaction from the Saturday night crowd.

5:34 pm PST (8:34 EST) - The Spartans emerge from the tunnel to take the floor... to a modest chorus of boos.

5:19 pm PST (8:19 EST) - The video board here at MAC is encouraging fans to send their tweets to #UnitedWeZag and may get on the board. Whaddya say, Spartans fans? (If any of ours get up, we'll try to post a picture)

4:52 pm PST (7:52 EST) - The Spartans are on the floor for pregame warmups. The team arrived Thursday and has had two practices and a shoot-around on this floor, but the McCarthy Athletic Center feels very different tonight as the Zags' student section is nearly full over an hour before tipoff, and the Spartans are hearing it already. Welcome to the big time.