Gonzaga beats UCLA 79-76 in Sweet 16 on Strawther’s shot
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Julian Strawther hit a 3-pointer with 7.2 seconds left to answer a 3-pointer by UCLA’s Amari Bailey, lifting Gonzaga to a wild 79-76 win over UCLA in the Sweet 16. The Bruins were the West Region’s No. 2 seed and stormed back from an eight-point deficit in the final 1:05. UCLA took a a 76-75 lead on Bailey’s 3-pointer with 12.2 seconds left. The Zags brought the ball up the floor and Strawther stepped into a 3-pointer, sending Gonzaga fans to their feet and the Zags into the Elite Eight.
Nowell breaks NCAA assist record, KSU beats MSU 98-93 in OT
NEW YORK (AP) — Markquis Nowell broke the NCAA Tournament record for assists in a game with 19, his last two on spectacular passes in the final minute of overtime, and Kansas State beat Michigan State 98-93 in a Sweet 16 thriller at Madison Square Garden. Playing in his hometown and fighting through a second-half ankle injury, Nowell found Keyontae Johnson for a reverse alley-oop with 52 seconds left in OT to give the Wildcats the lead for good in this back-and-forth East Region semifinal. Nowell finished with 20 points and five steals. A.J. Hoggard led Michigan State with 25 points. Kansas State will face Florida Atlantic for a berth in the Final Four.
Florida Atlantic makes first Elite Eight, bounces Tennessee
NEW YORK (AP) — Florida Atlantic, playing in just its second NCAA Tournament, moved within a victory of the Final Four by using a second-half push led by Michael Forrest to beat fourth-seeded Tennessee 62-55. The ninth-seeded Owls will play third-seeded Kansas State in the East Region final at Madison Square Garden. Johnell Davis lead the Owls with 15 points and Forrest finished with 11, eight in a crucial second-half run when FAU took control. The Volunteers, who were looking for just the second Elite Eight appearance in program history, shot 33% — including 6 of 23 from 3-point range. Josiah-Jordan James and Jonas Aidoo scored 10 points apiece.
#4 UConn Beats #6 Arkansas, Advances To Elite Eight
(Las Vegas, NV) — The UConn Huskies are heading to the Elite Eight. The fourth seed in the West region will get a chance to cut down the nets after blowing out number-eight Arkansas 88-65 in Las Vegas. Jordan Hawkins led all scorers with 24 points. Adama Sanogo scored 18 points to go along with eight rebounds and two blocks. Anthony Black led the Razorbacks in scoring with 20 points while recording five steals. Ricky Council the Fourth scored 17 points. The Huskies will take on Gonzaga tomorrow in the Elite Eight.
