March Madness begins

With a BANG
By John Chagaris, College AP
March 16, 2006


SALT LAKE CITY -- When a number four seed and a number thirteen seed meet in the first round of the NCAA Men's basketball tournament meet, most would not figure on a good game. When the teams in question are Boston College and Pacific, nobody would figure on a good game, well maybe a good game but not a close game.

Clutch Free Throws, key turnovers, scoring streaks a plenty, add that with two overtime periods and the game of the tournament is created.

"People look forward to having the underdog come up and win," said Eagles guard Louis Hinnant, "fortunately, we didn't allow that to happen."

For 45 minutes the game could have gone either way as The Eagles and the Tigers both had leads they could not hole on to, the Tigers actually had a six point lead in the first overtime. With 4.3 seconds remaining in the first overtime, the ball was handed to Senior Craig Smith, who was fouled and had to hit two free throws to send it into a second overtime. The career 66 percent shooter nailed both to send the game into a second overtime.

"I thought this was the first game all year we deserved to win and didn't," claimed Bob Thomason the coach of Pacific.

But how did the game go into overtime? Christian Maraker of the Pacific Tigers nailed a clutch three pointer as time was winding down in regulation to tie the game at 65. That ended a rally by Pacific to climb out of a 13 point hole.

"I thought we have a veteran club and we made a very big mistake there," Eagles headman Al Skinner said, "we were fortunate to overcome that [shot]."

In the second overtime the Eagles decided to end their migration as Tyrese Rice threw up an alley-oop to Sean William, then next position nailed a three pointer.

"We were fortunate to have a number of individuals on this team who want the ball," said Skinner, "and when they get the ball in their area, they're going to take it."

Pacific went cold at the wrong time, they did not score until there was only 1:45 left in the second overtime after the Eagles began their 9-0 run. What also did not help Pacific was the Eagles held Christian Maraker scoreless in both overtimes, Maraker did have a shot roll in and out in the second overtime. The Eagles advanced to play the winner of the Montana vs. Nevada game.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.