TAMPA – Western Kentucky likes to make its games interesting.
The Hilltoppers saw a 15-point lead vanish in the second half against San Diego yesterday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, but Courtney Lee refused to let his team lose and the No. 12 seed in the West Region is moving on.
Lee scored 29 points to lead Western Kentucky to a 72-63 victory over No. 13 San Diego. The Hilltoppers advance to face topseeded UCLA on Thursday in Phoenix.
The victory was the second consecutive game the Hilltoppers watched a big lead disappear before coming back to win. They blew a 16-point lead in the first round against Drake before winning on a buzzer-beater.
Yesterday, San Diego went on a furious 18-2 run in the middle of the second half. Devin Ginty hit a 3-pointer with 6:35 left to put San Diego up 55-54. Lee, though, went right down the court and recaptured the lead with a 3-pointer of his own. From there, the senior guard made all six of his free throws down the stretch to give
the Hilltoppers their first Sweet 16 berth since 1993 when they beat Seton Hall.
“I’m not totally surprised that we’re here,” Hilltoppers coach Darrin Horn said. “You know, we thought this was a special team coming into it. We spent years developing this style of play and putting together the kind of depth and athleticism and skill that gives you a chance to do this in tournament action.”
Horn has three senior starters and all played a crucial role in this win. Tyrone Brazelton had 15 points and five assists, Ty Rogers played great defense against Toreros star Brandon Johnson and Lee was everywhere. He finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and four 3-pointers.
“We wanted to come and make noise and win games,” Lee said. “We have a great team.”
Western Kentucky joined Villanova as the third pair of teams seeded 12 or lower to advance to the Sweet 16 since the tournament field was expanded to 64 in 1985.
WEST W. KENTUCKY 72 SAN DIEGO 63