College Station, Texas ? Coach Phil Martelli and tiny Saint Joseph’s were just three points and a few seconds short of last year’s Final Four.

With a new and less-talented cast of contributors, the Hawks finally made it there — in the NIT, that is.

“I thought last year … was amazing,” Martelli said Wednesday night after a 58-51 victory over Texas A&M. “But I think what this team has accomplished this year might be more amazing.”

Pat Carroll scored 22 points, and Dwayne Lee added 13 to lead Saint Joseph’s in the quarterfinals.

Saint Joseph’s (23-11) advanced to the NIT semifinals Tuesday night in New York and will face Memphis — which defeated Vanderbilt, 81-68, Wednesday night.

Antoine Wright led A&M with 21 points in what could have been his final college game. The 6-foot-7 junior seriously will consider an early jump into the NBA draft.

“I don’t think right now is the time to ask,” said A&M coach Billy Gillispie, cutting off a reporter’s question to Wright. “Let him feel terrible about losing tonight. With respect for Antoine, not for respect to me.”

Texas A&M's Antoine Wright drives to the basket against Saint Joseph's Dwayne Jones during their NIT quarterfinal game. Wright scored a team-high 21 points, but the Aggies lost, 58-51, Wednesday in College Station, Texas.

A&M hadn’t advanced so far in the postseason since 1982, when the Aggies also lost in the NIT quarterfinals.

“As crazy as that sounds, we didn’t think we would be a few shots away from the Final Four,” Wright said, cracking a smile. “As much as I hate to say he’s right, coach is a winner. He brought a winning attitude to our team.”

The Aggies dropped to 17-3 at Reed Arena this season, with their only other losses coming to Oklahoma State and Oklahoma.

Also Wednesday night, Maryland advanced into the quarterfinals for the first time since 1972 with a 78-63 victory over Davidson.