Evans sparks late run, Texas Tech dodges upset

DALLAS — Keenan Evans scored 19 of his 23 points after halftime and thirdseeded Texas Tech surged late to top Stephen F. Austin 70-60 on Thursday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Red Raiders (25-9), runner-up in the Big 12, closed the game on a 13-2 run. Evans drove for a layup with 3:58 left, putting Texas Tech ahead to stay as it secured its first NCAA Tournament win since 2005, when it advanced to the Sweet 16 under coach Bob Knight.

Evans had only four points in the first half, all on free throws while going 0 for 4 from the field. But he also ignited the highlight play of the night, chasing down an offensive rebound past midcourt and then throwing an alley-oop pass to 6-foot-5 freshman Zhaire Smith, who made a 360-degree spin in the air while completing the dunk.

Stephen F. Austin (28-7), the Southland Conference tournament champion, led by eight points early in the second half was trying to take down a Big 12 opponent in an NCAA opener for the second time in three seasons. The Lumberjacks beat West Virginia in their last tournament appearance two years ago before losing to Notre Dame.

Ivan Canete had 17 points to lead SFA.

Jalen Brunson scored 16 points and Villanova (31-4) hit 14 three-pointers in a first-round romp over Radford (23-13) in Pittsburgh. The Wildcats played to near-perfection for the first 30 minutes and everyone played a role. Mikal Bridges had 13 points, Eric Paschall scored 11 and Omari Spellman had 10 points and seven rebounds. The Highlanders posed no threat at becoming the first 16 seed to ever knock off a No. 1 in the tournament. Radford, out of rural southwest Virginia, must have felt like it was playing against ace pop-ashot players. Villanova led 69-37 with 11:45 left and was shooting 75 percent (25 of 34) overall and 60 percent (12 of 20) from threepoint range. Phil Booth, Bridges, Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo all hit three-pointers in succession to blow open the game. Donald Hicks led the Highlanders with 13 points, and Shannon Bogues added 14.

John Petty scored 20 points and hit a late three-pointer to help Alabama (20-15) clinch a first-round win over Virginia Tech (21-12) in Pittsburgh. Petty’s three made it 75-70 and gave the Crimson Tide enough breathing to hang on and advance to play Villanova on Saturday. Collin Sexton led Alabama with 25 points. Robinson scored 19 points and Justin Bibbs had 17 points for the Hokies.