N. Mexico St. almost upsets Auburn
SALT LAKE CITY» A.J. Harris had an easy layup for the tie. He wanted a win for New Mexico State.
It didn’t work out, but boy-ohboy, what a way for the Aggies to go down swinging against Auburn in the NCAA Tournament.
With the clock ticking down, Harris passed on an open layup and kicked out to wide-open teammate Terrell Brown, who was spotted up for the gamewinner behind the arc.
Brown was fouled as he took the shot, but missed two of three free throws with 1.1 seconds left as New Mexico State fell 78-77 to fifth-seeded Auburn.
It’s hard to call the Aggies losers after their Thursday showing in the opening round of the Midwest Region.
“I can sit up here and second guess,” said New Mexico State coach Chris Jans, “but if he makes the 3, or makes all three free throws, it’s an Ali-Frazier moment.”
Wofford 84, Seton Hall 68.
Fletcher Magee set a collegiate record for 3-pointers and seventh-seeded Wofford beat Seton Hall 84-68 in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Magee finished with 24 points thanks partly to seven treys as the Terriers won their first tournament game in five tries. Wofford also won its 21st consecutive game. Magee now has 509 3-pointers. He broke the Division I career mark set by Oakland’s Travis Bader in 2014.
Kentucky 79, Abilene Christian 44.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA.»
Keldon Johnson scored 25 points in a huge mismatch that was over by halftime, and second-seeded Kentucky romped in the Midwest Regional over NCAA Tournament newcomer Abilene Christian.
The Wildcats shot 60 percent in the opening period, held Abilene Christian to 5 of 26 from the field and went to the locker room with a 39-13 lead.
Even without PJ Washington, who sprained his left foot in the Southeastern Conference Tournament, the Wildcats had far too many weapons for the Southland Conference representative.
Kansas 87, Northeastern 54.
SALT LAKE CITY» Dedric Lawson had 25 points and 11 rebounds, and fourth-seeded Kansas dominated inside in a rout over Northeastern in the Midwest Region.
The fourth-seeded Jayhawks had a notable size advantage inside and used it, outscoring the Huskies 50-16 in the paint while grabbing 17 more rebounds.