For the first time in NCAA Tournament history, a 15-seed will be playing in the Sweet 16 after Florida Gulf Coast wreaked havoc in the South region with its upsets of seventh-seeded San Diego State and No. 2 seed Georgetown in Philadelphia, Pa., this weekend.
The Eagles defeated San Diego State 81-71 Sunday night in the third round of the tournament just two nights after FGCU stunned the nation by beating the Hoyas in the second round.
The Eagles used a big second half to beat the Aztecs, as they outscored them 47-36 after the break.
FGCU put the game out of reach early in the second half, going on a 17-0 run to expand its lead to 71-52 with 4:19 left in the game.
Five Eagles scored in double digits, with sophomore Bernard Thompson leading the way with 23 points. Brett Comer recorded a double-double with 10 points and 14 assists.
Up next for FGCU is No. 3 seed Florida on Friday night for a 9:57 p.m. tip with a spot in the Elite Eight on the line.
Gonzaga shocked
Gonzaga became the first No. 1 seed to be knocked out of this year’s tournament after falling to ninth-seeded Wichita State on Saturday night, 76-70.
After trailing by seven with 6:28 left in the game, the Shockers hit five straight 3-pointers, including one by Fred Van Vleet with 1:32 left in the game, which gave Wichita State a five-point lead that they would not give up.
The Bulldogs came into the tournament as the top-ranked team in the country and the No. 1 team in the West region.
Ron Baker and Cleanthony Early each scored 16 points for the Shockers. Kelly Olynyk was the leading scorer for
Gonzaga with 26 points and nine rebounds.
Wichita State advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2006 and will play on Thursday night against No. 13 seed La Salle at approximately 10:17 p.m.
Craft lifts OSU
A clutch 3-pointer by junior Aaron Craft with a half-second left gave second-seeded Ohio State a 78-75 victory over No. 10 seed Iowa State and helped it avoid a third round upset in the West region Sunday afternoon in Dayton, Ohio.
The Cyclones made a furious comeback late in the game and took the lead at 73-71 with three minutes to go. After exchanging free throws, the game was tied at 75 as the final seconds ticked away as Craft drained the game-winner over Iowa State big man Georges Niang with .5 seconds left, sending the Buckeyes to their fourth straight Sweet 16.
Deshaun Thomas was the high scorer for Ohio State with 22 points while LaQuinton Ross added 17 points off the bench.
The Cyclones caught a bad break when senior guard Chris Babb left the game late in the first half with a leg injury.
The Buckeyes’ next game is Thursday night against No. 6 seed Arizona in Los Angeles at 7:47 p.m.
Jason Kates can be reached at [email protected].
