Four-point play helps Stephen F. Austin shock VCU
Meet your new NCAA Tournament darlings: The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks.
Trailing most of the second half after a meltdown against Virginia Commonwealth's relentless pressure, the gritty Jacks tied the game on Desmond Haymon's improbable four-play play with 3.6 seconds left in regulation and survived in overtime, 77-75, last night in a South Regional second-round game in San Diego.
Fifth-seeded VCU (23-10) was firmly in control after its swarming defense flustered SFA during a big second-half run. The feisty and 12th-seeded Lumberjacks (32-2) kept hanging around, though, and came up with the kind of finish that's sure to make them one of the bracket's favorites this year.
Given a chance after VCU's Jordan Burgess missed two free throws with 10 seconds left, the Lumberjacks worked the ball around to the wing, where Haymon launched a three-pointer and was fouled by JaQuan Lewis. The crowd was still buzzing when VCU called timeout to try icing Haymon, but the senior hit the free throw.
After a desperation heave by VCU failed at the end of regulation, Haymon put the Jacks ahead in overtime on a three-pointer with two minutes left.
With 14 seconds left, SFA's Thomas Walkup made one of two free throws, giving VCU a final shot at the win. The Rams got a good look, too, working the ball to Lewis for an open three-pointer on the wing.
His shot went long, and the Lumberjacks grabbed the rebound, then stormed the floor.
UCLA 76, Tulsa 59: Jordan Adams had 21 points and eight rebounds to lead fourth-seeded UCLA (27-8) past 13th-seeded Tulsa (21-13) in San Diego, spoiling the NCAA Tournament head-coaching debut of Danny Manning. The Bruins will face 12th-seeded Stephen F. Austin in the third round.
