Early games recap

This was one of the most exciting starts in NCAA Tournament history. Three overtimes, two one point finishes, and a buzzer beater.

What more could you as for?

SOUTH REGION:

Old Dominion 51, Notre Dame 50: Luke Harangody was no where to be found for the Irish, but Ben Hansbrough and Carleton Scott helped carry the Irish to an early lead and seemingly control of this game. But in the second half, ODU started executing better offensively, using a 9-0 run to take a 31-30 lead. It would be close the rest of the way. The key swing came with two minutes left. After an and-one lay-up by Frank Hassell, Darius James buried a three to give the Monarchs a three point lead. Scott answered with a three of his own, but Gerald Lee would score the next three point for ODU to give them a 49-46 lead. ND had two chances to tie, but Tory Jackson missed and Carleton Scott had a three rim out as the clock wound down. Gody hit a layup at the buzzer for the final margin, just his second field goal of the game.

Baylor 68, Sam Houston State 59: It may have been nerves, it may have been the expectation of a win, but Baylor came out flat against SHSU. Lace Dunn and Tweety Carter both were off, but Ekpe Udoh played very well, finishing with 20 points, 13 boards, and a handful of blocks and assists. Dunn got it going a little bit late as the Bears used a late run to put away the Bearkats.

Villanova 73, Robert Morris 70 OT: Jay Wright benched Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher to start this game, and it may not have been the best decision. Bobby Mo started gaining confidence, taking control for much of this game. Up 55-47 with just over three minutes left, Scottie Reynolds took over. He attacked the rim, drawing fouls (some questionable) as the Wildcats were able to force overtime. In the OT, Nova jumped out to a six point lead, and (again on the benefit of a questionable foul call -- it looked like the Colonials had forced a jump ball, but a foul was called) but barely hung on. After Karon Abraham hit a 28 footer to cut a four point lead to one, Nova hit two free throws. Bobby Mo missed a three at the buzzer that would have tied it.

St. Mary's 80, Richmond 71: The Spiders had no answer for Omar Samhan, who had 29 points and 12 boards in this one. He was unstoppable in the first half. In the second half, once the rest of the Gaels started to get it going from three, SMC took control of this one.


West Region

BYU 99, Florida 92 2OT: What. A. Game. BYU opened up a 13 point second half lead, but Kenny Boynton took over. He scored 14 straight points and had 17 in a run that eventually ended up Florida taking a 71-68 lead. Vernon Macklin would give the Gators a 75-73 lead with 25 seconds left on a free throw, after Fredette tied it with a layup, Parsons missed a shot that would have won the game. In the first overtime, Florida jumped out to a quick four point lead, but Michael Loyd, BYU's back up point guard who had 26 points, took over, out running Florida's defense and bringing the Cougars back. Florida once again blew a chance to win the game at the end of the first overtime. In the second OT, BYU had a four point lead when Fredette buried a deep three. He would hit another a minute later, this time from about 26 feet, and finished with 37 points. It was BYU's first tournament win in 17 years.

Kansas State 82, North Texas 62: North Texas hung with the Wildcats for about 10 minutes before the Wildcats took this one over. Denis Clemente had 17 points, and Jacob Pullen and Curtis Kelly both added 15 as K-State advanced to face BYU in the second round.

Murray State 66, Vanderbilt 65: Murray State was ahead for much of the second half before Vanderbilt was able to string together a couple of jumpers from John Jenkins as they took a 60-56 lead. But the Racers would hit back-to-back threes, retaking the lead. A back and forth finish, AJ Ogilvy hit Jermaine Beal for a back door cut with 12 seconds left. Beal was fouled and hit both free throws, setting up this.

UTEP vs. Butler: This game is just finishing up, but it looks pretty safe to say Butler will win. They are currently up by 17. After trailing 33-27 at the half, the Bulldogs caught fire from three in the second half as they went on a 28-6 run to take control.