INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Ethan Thompson scored 20 points, including a pair of clinching foul shots with 35 seconds left, and No. 12 seed Oregon State beat eighth-seeded Loyola Chicago 65-58 in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. The Beavers are headed for their first Elite Eight since 1982 and will play second-seeded Houston or No. 10 seed Syracuse on Monday night for a spot in the Beavers’ first Final Four since 1963. All-American forward Cameron Krutwig led the Ramblers with 14 points while Lucas Williamson and Braden Norris added 10 apiece. The Ramblers shot 33% from the field against Oregon State’s relentless defense.
Also happening in the NCAA:
Top-seeded Baylor overcame some frigid outside shooting to move into the Elite Eight, getting 16 points from Adam Flagler in a 62-51 victory over No. 5 Villanova.
The Bears came in as the nation’s leading 3-point team before making just only 3 of 19 in this one, unable to find room or get into a comfort zone against the Wildcats’ mix of 2-3 zone and man.
Davion (DAY’-vee-ahn) Mitchell went 0 for 3 in a 14-point night after entering the game shooting 46% from downtown.
The Wildcats led by seven at halftime before committing an inordinate amount of turnovers.
The Bears took a six-point lead with a 14-2 run during which not a single point came from outside the arc.
Like Baylor, Arkansas overcame a seven-point, halftime deficit to beat No. 15 seed Oral Roberts, 72-70.
Davonte Davis hit a short jumper with 2.9 seconds left to send the Razorbacks to the Elite Eight for the first time in 26 years.
Jalen Tate dropped in 22 points to help Arkansas overcome a poor shooting night by Moses Moody, who was 4-for-20 in scoring 14 points.
Quentin Grimes scored 14 points while Houston’s defense locked down on surging Buddy Boeheim (BAY’-hym), helping the Cougars beat Syracuse 62-46. Justin Gorham had 13 points and 10 rebounds for the second-seeded Cougars, who pushed through to their first trip to a regional final in 37 years.
The Cougars also got a strong all-around effort from DeJon Jarreau, who finished with nine points, eight rebounds and eight assists while leading the defensive effort that kept Boeheim in check. Boeheim finished with 12 points on 3 of 13 shooting.
