Not rusty: Oregon soars past Iowa 95-80 into Sweet 16
Chris Duarte scored 23 points and Oregon showed no signs of rust after a long layoff, beating No. 2 seed Iowa 95-80 on Monday to reach the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in the past five NCAA Tournaments.
The seventh-seed Ducks (21-6) were put in an unprecedented spot, advancing to the West Region’s second round without playing a game. Virginia Commonwealth’s multiple positive COVID-19 tests took careofthat,leavingOregon withanine-daybreaksince losing in the Pac-12 Tournamenttitlegame.
The Ducks flowed on the floor and glowed on the scoresheet, shooting 56% and hitting 11 3-pointers. LJ Figueroa hit five 3s while scoring 21 points and Will Richardson added 19 points in an offensive domination.
Their sweet offensive movements left the Hawkeyes (22-9) flailing, one gameshortoftheSweet16 for the fourth time under Fran McCaffrey.
Luka Garza played like a two-time All-American, bulling in for three-point plays, hitting mid-range jumpers and dropping in the occasional 3. He capped his stellar college career with 36 points and nine rebounds before receiving a nice ovation from the limited crowd allowed in Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Women’s basketball
NO. 13 WRIGHT STATE 66, NO. 4 ARKANSAS 52 >> Angel Baker made the go-ahead 3-pointer with 29.1 seconds left and No. 13 Wright State stunned No. 4 Arkansas in the biggest upset so far of the first round of the women’s NCAA Tournament.
Jada Roberson made
two free throws with 8.1 seconds left to seal the victory for the Horizon League tournament champions, who were playing in just their third NCA A Tournament.
Baker scored 26 points and the Raiders (19-7) are the first No. 13 seed to beat a No. 4 since 2012. Coming into the tournament, No. 13 seeds were 9-104 all time. NO. 11 BYU 69, NO. 6 RUTGERS 77 >> Paisley Johnson Harding scored 28 points and 11th-seeded BYU upset sixth-seed Rutgers.
After Sunday’s 16-0 start for the higher seeds, the Cougars (19-5) — believed to be the last team to make the field — came out Monday morning to knock off the 21st-ranked Scarlet Knights (14-5) and advance to Wednesday’s second round.
NO. 12 BELMONT 64, NO. 5 GONZAGA 59 >> Belmont freshman Destinee Wells scored 25 points and had seven assists in a turnoverfree game as the younger and smaller 12th seeded Bruins held on for their first victory ever in the women’s NCAA Tournament, pulling off an upset over fifth-seeded Gonzaga.
NFL 49ERS AGREE TO 1-YEAR DEALS WITH TARTT, WILSON >>
The San Francisco 49ers agreed to bring back safety Jaquiski Tartt on a one-year deal and signed safety Tavon Wilson to a one-year contract.
Tartt is the latest key free agent the Niners managed to keep for at least another season following deals the team reached with left tackle Trent Williams, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, cornerbacks Jason Verrett and Emmanuel Moseley, and nose tackle D.J. Jones. TEXANS QB WATSON FACING 13 LAWSUITS ALLEGING SEX ASSAULT >> Six more women filed lawsuits accusing Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and harassment, bringing the total number of such lawsuits against the NFL player to 13.
The claims in the six new suits, which were filed in a Harris County state district court, are similar those in the earlier cases. One of the latest lawsuits was filed by a woman who alleges Watson assaulted her on March 5 in Atlanta and that his behavior “is part of a disturbing pattern of preying on vulnerable women.”
Watson, 25, has broadly denied he acted inappropriately and said last week in a statement he looks forward to clearing his name.
MLB D-BACKS PITCHER GALLEN MIGHT MISS OPENER >>
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen is being evaluated for soreness in his right forearm and might not be ready for the start of the regular season on April 1.
The 25-year-old Gallen said he first felt the injury when he was jammed during batting practice about 10 days ago. He said he can feel it when he throws his curveball.
Gallen, who was scratched from his scheduled start on Monday, said he got an MRI and an Xray on Sunday and doctors were still evaluating the results.
NHL BRUINS TO RETURN FROM COVID PAUSE ON THURSDAY >>
Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney says the team is on schedule to return from its COVID-19 shutdown on Thursday night against the New York Islanders. The game also would be the first pro sporting event in Massachusetts with paying fans in the crowd since last March.
The NHL on Friday postponed two Bruins games after four more Boston players entered the COVID protocol, for a total of five. They are: David Pastrnak, David Krejci, Sean Kuraly, Jake DeBrusk and Craig Smith. Games against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday and the New York Islanders on Tuesday were to be rescheduled.