NC State ousts Oakland in overtime
DJ Burns Jr. scored 24 points, including a go-ahead putback that ignited a 9-0 run in overtime, and 11th-seeded North Carolina State held off 14th-seeded Oakland 79-73 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday night in Pittsburgh.
Powered by their versatile 6-9, 275-pound forward, the Wolfpack (24-14) advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2015 by finally pulling away from three-point specialist Jack Gohlke and the Golden Grizzlies (2412) in the extra period.
Michael O’Connell had 12 points for the Wolfpack. DJ Horne and Casey Morsell added 11 apiece. Jayden Taylor came off the bench in overtime to hit a three that put them ahead by five.
Oakland, which ousted third-seeded Kentucky, just missed becoming the first 14 seed to reach the Sweet 16 since Chattanooga in 1997. Trey Townsend, the Horizon League Player of the Year, had 30 points and 13 rebounds for the Golden Grizzlies. Gohlke poured in six more and finished with 22.
Gonzaga 89, Kansas 68
Led by Anton Watson’s 21 points, the fifthseeded Bulldogs (27-7) swatted away the exhausted No. 4 seed Jayhawks (23-11) in Salt Lake City, stunning them with 15-0 run early in the half to turn this one into a runaway.
Back in the Sweet 16 for the nation-leading ninth consecutive time, Gonzaga is 16-2 since Jan. 18, with the only two losses coming to St. Mary’s, the team that beat the Zags for the West Coast Conference title but was dismissed from the tournament Friday night.
The Zags made their first five threes of the second half, not missing from long range until 1:30 remained. They shot 60% from the floor and 53% from beyond the arc.
Arizona 78, Dayton 68
Caleb Love scored 19 points and the second-seeded Wildcats (27-8) reached the Sweet 16 for the second time in three seasons, topping the No. 7 seed Flyers (25-8) in Salt Lake City. Keshad Johnson and Larsson each had 13 points and seven rebounds for Arizona which shot 53% and made eight three.
North Carolina 85, Michigan State 69
RJ Davis’ 20 points helped the No. 1 seed Tar Heels (29-7) eliminate the Spartans (20-15) in Charlotte, North Carolina, keeping them unbeaten (5-0) in March Madness against Tom Izzo-coached teams in a series going back 26 years.
Iowa State 67, Washington State 56
Tamin Lipsey scored 15 points and the No. 2 seed Cyclones (29-7) marched into their seventh Sweet 16 while cranking up the second-half pressure against the seventhseeded Cougars (25-10) in Omaha.
Tennessee 62, Texas 58
Dalton Knecht scored 18 points and made four free throws in the final 8.8 seconds as the second-seeded Volunteers (26-8) topped the Longhorns (21-13) in Charlotte.
Michigan lures May away from FAU
Dusty May reportedly will be hired as Michigan’s coach, leaving Florida Atlantic after six seasons. May and the Wolverines reportedly were in the process of finalizing a contract.
WOMEN’S FIRST ROUND Iowa 91, Holy Cross 65
Caitlin Clark finished with 27 points and 10 assists on an off shooting night as the No. 1 seed Hawkeyes (30-4) bounced the 16th-seeded Crusaders (21-13) in Iowa City.
Clark shot just 8-for-19 from the field, 3-for-9 on threes, and showed her frustration with missed shots multiple times during the game. She was constantly complaining to officials, and at one point cameras caught her dad, Brent, telling her to stop.
“I should probably smile more. I’m a competitor,” said Clark, who even head-butted the basketball in frustration. “I love this game. I’m a perfectionist. I want to win, and I want our team to play our best basketball.”
Clark finished with her 65th career double-double and added eight rebounds.
Notre Dame 81, Kent State 67
Sonia Citron scored 29 points and Hannah Hidalgo had 14 points and 11 assists to help the No. 2-seed Fighting Irish (27-6) top the 15th-seeded Flashes (21-11) in South Bend, Indiana. Citron shot 13-for-20 in tying her career high for points. Hidalgo added six steals. Fordham transfer Anna DeWolfe scored 12 in her NCAA debut.