NCAA Tournament: Sunday’s roundup

Published 12:00 am Sunday, March 20, 2011

Associated Press
Sundayís NCAA Tournament roundup …
TULSA, Okla. ó Derrick Williamsí three-point play with 9.6 seconds remaining lifted Arizona to a 70-69 win over Texas in the third round of the NCAA tournament Sunday.
The fifth-seeded Wildcats (29-7) led by as many as 13 in the first half and were up for most of the game before JíCovan Brownís jumper put the No. 4 seed Longhorns ahead 69-67. Williams misfired on a tying attempt with 14.5 seconds remaining, but Texas (28-8) was called for a five-second violation on the inbounds play to give Arizona one more chance.
Replays appeared to show the call came before the count reached five ó as a Texas player tried to call timeout.
Williams took advantage, slipping to the baseline on a pick-and-roll and taking the pass from Kyle Fogg. His shot banked in to tie the game, and his free throw put the Wildcats into the regional semifinals in their return to the NCAA tournament. Last yearís absence snapped a 25-year streak.
Arizona will play top-seeded Duke on Thursday in Anaheim, Calif.
Brown had one final chance for the Longhorns, driving the length of the court and into the lane. But he was met by a trio of Arizona defenders, including Williams, and his wild shot went high and missed. Time expired during the battle for the rebound.
Marquette 66, Syracuse 62
CLEVELAND ó Darius Johnson-Odomís 3-pointer with 27 seconds left snapped a tie and gave Marquette a win over Big East foe Syracuse that put the Golden Eagles into the round of 16 for the first time in eight years.
The 11th-seeded Golden Eagles (22-14) had the winning basket set up by one of Syracuseís 18 turnovers. Marquette will play North Carolina in the East regional semifinals Friday in Newark, N.J.
The Golden Eagles are in the round of 16 for the first time since Dwyane Wade led them to the Final Four in 2003.
This was the second straight early exit for third-seeded Syracuse (27-8). The Orange were a No. 1 seed last year and lost in the round of 16 to Butler.
Virginia Commonwealth 94, Purdue 76
CHICAGO ó Bradford Burgess scored 23 points and 11th-seeded VCU made it three victories in five days, routing third-seeded Purdue to earn a trip to the Southwest regional semifinals.
VCUís remarkable run sends the Rams to the round of 16 for the first time in school history. Theyíve ousted Southern California, Georgetown and Purdue since Wednesday night.
VCU (26-11) will play Florida State on Friday in San Antonio.
Jamie Skeen added 13 points in a balanced attack as the Rams led by as many 20, shutting down the Boilermakers (26-8) and quieting a large contingent of Purdue fans at the United Center.
Speedy floor leader Joey Rodriguez had 12 points and 11 assists, controlling the tempo. VCU shot 57 percent and had 26 assists to just four turnovers.
Big Ten player of the year JaJuan Johnson scored 25 in his final game for the Boilermakers to go with 14 rebounds. But Purdueís other star, EíTwaun Moore, struggled and managed just 10 points on 5-of-15 shooting.
Ohio State 98, George Mason 66
CLEVELAND ó David Lighty made all seven of his 3-pointers and scored 25 points, Jared Sullinger added 18 after informing one of George Masonís players ěitís overî and top-seeded Ohio State made 16 3s to advance in the NCAA tournament with a jaw-dropping rout.
With thousands of fans chanting ěO-H-I-Oî at every opportunity, the Buckeyes (34-2) took apart the eighth-seeded Patriots (27-7), who created some March mayhem a few years ago and hoped to follow Butlerís lead by taking out a No. 1 seed in this tourney.
Ohio State destroyed any upset plans and moved closer to its first national title since 1960. The Buckeyes will meet Kentucky (27-8) in the East regional semifinals Friday in Newark. Ohio State is 5-0 in NCAA tournament matchups with the Wildcats.
After falling behind 11-2, the Big Ten champions used their devastating inside-outside attack to post the most lopsided tournament victory in school history.
William Buford scored 18 and freshman guard Aaron Craft had 15 assists for Ohio State.
Cam Long scored 16 points to lead George Mason, which played without Luke Hancock, one of its best players. The sophomore guard had food poisoning and remained with a trainer at the teamís hotel.
Kansas 73, Illinois 59
TULSA, Okla. ó Twin brothers Marcus and Markieff Morris combined for 41 points and 24 rebounds, powering top-seeded Kansas past Illinois to ensure the Jayhawks wouldnít make an opening-weekend exit from the NCAA tournament for the second straight year.
The Jayhawks (34-2) avoided revisiting their loss to another No. 9 seed, Northern Iowa, exactly a year earlier and also on Oklahoma soil. Instead, theyíre moving on in a bracket filled with upsets.
Mike Davis led the Fighting Illini (20-14) with 17 points and seven rebounds.
Florida State 71, Notre Dame 57
CHICAGO. ó No. 10 seed Florida State gave the ACC three teams in the Sweet 16 with a convincing and dominating victory against No. 2 seed Notre Dame late Sunday night at the United Center.
Bernard James paced the balanced Seminoles, who led by 11 at halftime, with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Tim Abromaitas scored 21 for the Fighting Irish, and Ben Hansbrough added 18.
Notre Dame shot 31.7 percent for the game and was only 7-for-30 from the 3-point line.