Buffalo, N.Y. ? Jameer Nelson and Delonte West showed why they’re one of the best backcourts in the nation.

And it’s because of them that Saint Joseph’s is heading to the NCAA Tournament’s round of 16 for the first time in seven years

St. Joe’s beat Texas Tech, 70-65, Saturday — and guess who’s waiting for the Hawks in the next round? Billy Packer’s alma mater, Wake Forest.

“I guarantee you he won’t be rooting for us,” West said smiling.

Packer, a CBS analyst, isn’t considered Saint Joseph’s biggest fan.

Last weekend, Packer, who was a star player for the Demon Deacons in the early 1960s, questioned whether Saint Joseph’s was worthy of a top seed. That led to a heated response from Hawks coach Phil Martelli.

Saturday, West was on early and Nelson impressive late, the two combining for 39 points against Texas Tech.

West’s contributions were particularly important, scoring 11 of his 15 points during a 24-2 first-half run that put the Hawks ahead for good. The outburst came after Nelson struggled, missing five of his first six shots.

“That’s why we’re a backcourt tandem, we know each other’s needs,” West said. “We really had no flow. I wasn’t going to let the game get too far away from us.”

The Hawks (29-1) continue to prove worthy of their No. 1 seed and will meet fourth-seeded Wake Forest (21-9) in next week’s East Rutherford Regional semifinal.

Andre Emmett, the Big 12’s all-time leading scorer, led Texas Tech (23-11) with 18 points.

Wake Forest 84, Manhattan 80

Raleigh, N.C. — Chris Paul had 29 points, eight rebounds and six assists to help Wake Forest advance to the second weekend for the first time in eight years.

Paul was 10-for-14 from the floor and 8-for-9 from the line for the Demon Deacons (21-9). Luis Flores had 20 points for the 12th-seeded Jaspers (25-6).