Holy Cross, Michigan Nab NCAA Tourney Wins

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Published on March 17 2016 6:34 am
Last Updated on March 17 2016 6:35 am

Holy Cross has a losing record -- and a long-awaited win in the NCAA tournament.

Robert Champion scored 19 points, including a key 3-pointer in the final minute, to help the Crusaders beat Southern University 59-55 Wednesday night for their first tournament victory in 63 years.

"I think it's fantastic," coach Bill Carmody said. "It's everything we're trying to do at Holy Cross. We're trying to jump-start the program because we realize what an athletic program can do for a school. It's a great first step."

Holy Cross (15-19) was an unlikely NCAA participant, earning its automatic bid by winning four consecutive road games to take the Patriot League Tournament title.

Now, after pulling out a sluggish game in the First Four, the 16th-seeded Crusaders are off to play No. 1 seed Oregon in the West Regional on Friday in Spokane, Washington.


Michigan 67, Tulsa 62

Zak Irvin hit a go-ahead 3-pointer and a pair of free throws in the closing minute as Michigan pulled out another one at the end on Wednesday night, beating Tulsa 67-62 in the First Four.

The Wolverines (23-12) made the leap from bubble team to the NCAA Tournament with their last-second drama. They hit a pair of end-game shots for wins in the Big Ten Tournament, including one by Irvin that beat Northwestern.

His 3-pointer put the Wolverines up 62-60 with 52 seconds to go, and his two free throws with 10 seconds left sent the 11th-seeded Wolverines into a matchup against rival Notre Dame in Brooklyn on Friday night.

Tulsa (20-12) got 23 points from Shaquille Harrison, but its senior-laden lineup couldn't keep up at the end. There were five ties and 12 lead changes in the frantic second half.


Thursday, March 17 Schedule (All Times Central)

#13 UNC Wilmington vs. #4 Duke, 10:15 a.m.

MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - WEST REGION - 1ST ROUND

#9 Butler vs. #8 Texas Tech, 10:40 a.m.

MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - MIDWEST REGION - 1ST ROUND

#9 Connecticut vs. #8 Colorado, 11:30 a.m.

MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - SOUTH REGION - 1ST ROUND

#13 Iona vs. #4 Iowa State, noon

MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - MIDWEST REGION - 1ST ROUND

#12 Yale vs. #5 Baylor, 12:45 p.m.

MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - WEST REGION - 1ST ROUND

#16 Hampton vs. #1 Virginia, 1:10 p.m.

MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - MIDWEST REGION - 1ST ROUND

#16 Austin Peay vs. #1 Kansas, 2 p.m.

MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - SOUTH REGION - 1ST ROUND

#12 Arkansas-Little Rock vs. #5 Purdue, 2:30 p.m.

MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - MIDWEST REGION - 1ST ROUND

#14 Buffalo vs. #3 Miami, 4:50 p.m.

MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - SOUTH REGION - 1ST ROUND

#12 Chattanooga vs. #5 Indiana, 5:10 p.m.

MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - EAST REGION - 1ST ROUND

#16 Florida Gulf Coast vs. #1 North Carolina, 5:20 p.m.

MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - EAST REGION - 1ST ROUND

#14 Fresno State vs. #3 Utah, 5:27 p.m.

MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - MIDWEST REGION - 1ST ROUND

#11 Wichita St. vs. #6 Arizona, 7:20 p.m.

MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - SOUTH REGION - 1ST ROUND

#13 Stony Brook vs. #4 Kentucky, 7:40 p.m.

MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - EAST REGION - 1ST ROUND

#9 Providence vs. #8 USC, 7:50 p.m.

MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - EAST REGION - 1ST ROUND

#11 Gonzaga vs. #6 Seton Hall, 7:57 p.m.

MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - MIDWEST REGION - 1ST ROUND