A TIGHT SQUEEZE
Gillon goes to the bank for Orange buzzer-beater
John Gillon had done it before, just not quite on such a grand stage.
With Syracuse desperate for a signature victory in what has been a so-so season, Gillon hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key at the buzzer, and Syracuse upset No. 10 Duke 78-75 on Wednesday night in front of a raucous Carrier Dome crowd of 30,331.
Gillon had hit a clutch 3-pointer three weeks ago at the regulation buzzer to force overtime at North Carolina State and the Orange (17-12, 9-7 Atlantic Coast Conference) prevailed behind his career-high 43 points. This topped that.
With just 7.5 seconds left on the clock after a Duke (22-6, 10-5 ACC) miss, Gillon drove to the top of the key and banked in a desperation shot to send the huge crowd into a frenzy as they stormed the court.
Syracuse had lost three straight, all by six points or fewer, and that skid had come after three straight wins that were decided by seven points or fewer. The Orange needed another signature victory to go with their two top-10 wins to bolster its résumé for a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Butler 74, Villanova 66
In Villanova, Pa., Kelan Martin scored 22 points and fueled a stunning second-half rally to lead No. 22 Butler (22-6, 11-5 Big East) past No. 2 Villanova (26-3, 13-3), snapping the Wildcats’ on-campus home winning streak at 48 games.
North Carolina 74, Louisville 63
In Chapel Hill, N.C., Justin Jackson scored 21 points and No. 8 North Carolina (24-5, 12-3 ACC) pulled away after halftime to beat No. 7 Louisville (22-6, 10-5 ACC) in a matchup of Atlantic Coast Conference leaders.
A North Carolina team spokesman said a fan was ejected after a verbal exchange with Louisville coach Rick Pitino which occurred as Pitino was leaving the court for halftime.
Kansas 87, TCU 68
In Lawrence, Kan., Frank Mason III scored 20 points, Carlton Bragg provided a big lift off the bench and No. 3 Kansas (25-3, 13-2 Big 12) pulled away in the second half to beat TCU (17-11, 6-9) and clinch a share of its 13th consecutive Big 12 championship. The Jayhawks cruised to their NCAA-leading 60th conference title.
Oregon 68, California 65
In Berkeley, Calif., Dylan Brooks hit a 3-pointer with 0.2 seconds to play to cap a comeback from 16 points down and No. 6 Oregon (25-4, 14-2 Pac-12) beat California (18-9, 9-6) to keep its hopes alive for a Pac-12 title.
Fordham 70, Duquesne 52
In Pittsburgh, Javontae Hawkins scored 20 points, Christian Sengfelder scored 19 points with five 3pointers, and Fordham (13-15, 7-8 Atlantic 10) beat Duquesne (10-18, 3-12 A-10) for its third straight win.