PITTSBURGH, Pa. (Michigan News Source) – A magical season for Oakland University ended in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to N.C. State in overtime, 79-73. Oakland was a no. 14 seed and upset no. 3 seed Kentucky on Thursday to get to the round of 32
The Wolfpack allowed just one made shot from the floor in the overtime period as it was DQ Cole’s three-pointer which was his first made shot of the game. N.C. State’s defense held down Oakland’s potent three-point shooters in the final five minutes as they missed six shots from the arc.
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Trey Townsend and Jack Gohlke combined for 52 of Oakland’s 73 points. Townsend went 11-of-25 from the floor for 30 points and Gohlke hit six three-pointers with four free throws for 22 points.
Oakland took a one-point lead, 67-66, with 3:47 left in overtime on a Townsend free throw. After a made NC State bucket, Townsend hit two more free throws at 2:26 to retake the lead, 69-68. NC State scored the next four points on a DJ Burns, Jr. layup and then and a DJ Horne jumper making it 72-69 with 1:39 to go. Blake Lampman was fouled on the Horne jumper which allowed him two free throws as he made one to pull within two points, 72-70. An ensuing NC State three-pointer and a missed Oakland three-pointer led to two more free throws made and a seven-point lead, 77-70, in just a minute’s time. NC State made two more free throws at 16 seconds left to put their lead at nine, 79-70, before Cole hit the only shot from the floor with 13 seconds left pulling to within six, 79-73.
A last-ditch effort for an Oakland three-pointer after a NC State turnover with 12 seconds left hit high off the rim as the Wolfpack grabbed the rebound and ended the game and Oakland’s magical run.
Oakland had won five-straight games coming into the round of 32 which included the Horizon League Championships over Milwaukee, 83-76. This was the first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2011.
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