Yale forward Justin Sears (22) dunks against Baylor during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college men's basketball tournament in Providence, R.I., on March 17, 2016.Charles Krupa/The Associated Press
One No. 12 seed got its first NCAA tournament win in program history. Another staged a huge comeback, then hung on for a double-overtime victory. And, as usual, the No. 1 seeds have so far assured themselves a spot in the second round. It's opening day at the NCAA tournament.
WEST REGION
Yale 79, Baylor 75
Makai Mason had a career-high 31 points, including six of Yale's final nine points, and the No. 12 seed Bulldogs held on to upset fifth seed Baylor on Thursday.
Yale (23-6) earned its first NCAA tournament victory. It comes in its first appearance since 1962.
Justin Sears added 18 points. Brandon Sherrod finished with 10. The Bulldogs led by as many as 13 points in the second half before having its lead cut to one point. But a late turnover by the Bears helped Yale secure the victory.
Taurean Prince led Baylor (22-12) with 28 points. Johnathan Motley finished with 15 points and seven rebounds.
Expelled Yale player Jack Montague, dismissed last month because of a sexual-assault allegation, was in the stands for the game. He was present as a fan and sat across from the Yale bench.
Yale will play No. 4 seed Duke on Saturday.
Duke 93, UNC Wilmington 85
Marshall Plumlee ditched the mask guarding his broken nose and responded by scoring a career-high 23 points to lead defending national champion Duke past UNC Wilmington. Plumlee had 10 of his points and two blocks as the Blue Devils stepped up the defensive pressure early in the second half to build a lead after trailing at the break. Duke (24-10), was seeded fourth in the West.
MIDWEST REGION
Little Rock 85, Purdue 83 (2OT)
Little Rock is advancing thanks to an out-of-nowhere comeback that led to a victory over Purdue. Josh Hagins sent the game into overtime with a shot from the edge of the midcourt logo, and then into double OT with an arcing shot off glass over an outstretched defender. The 6-foot-1 senior finished with 31 points, including six in the second overtime. Little Rock will face Iowa State on Saturday in the second round.
Virginia 81, Hampton 45
Anthony Gill scored 19 points and Virginia beat Hampton 81-45. London Perrantes had 12 points and Malcolm Brogdon finished with 11 for the top-seeded Cavaliers (28-6).
Iowa State 94, Iona 81
Monte Morris showed no lingering effects of his right shoulder injury, scoring 20 points and dishing out eight assists in Iowa State's win over Iona. Georges Niang's 28 points led the No. 3 seed Cyclones (22-11), who saw all five of their starters score in double figures. They will play Arkansas-Little Rock on Saturday at the Pepsi Center.
Butler 71, Texas Tech 61
Kelan Martin scored all 11 of his points in the final 8 1/2 minutes, including consecutive three-pointers to break a tie game, to help Butler beat Texas Tech. Kellen Dunham scored 23 points to lead the Bulldogs (22-10), including a critical three of his own with 2 minutes 26 seconds left as the Midwest Region's No. 9 seed finally pulled away in the final minutes.
SOUTH REGION
Kansas 105, Austin Peay 79
Svi Mykhailiuk scored a career-high 23 points, Perry Ellis added 21 and top-seeded Kansas throttled Austin Peay. Landen Lucas scored 16 points for the Jayhawks (31-4), who will face Connecticut on Saturday with a chance to return to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2013. Kansas, the No. 1 seed in the South Region, jumped ahead by 20 by halftime and cruised to its 10th straight win in an NCAA tournament opener.
Connecticut 74, Colorado 67
Rodney Purvis, Daniel Hamilton and a stifling defence carried Connecticut back from an 11-point first-half deficit, giving the Huskies enough for a victory over Colorado that kept coach Kevin Ollie unbeaten in the NCAA tournament. Purvis scored 15 of his 19 points after halftime, Daniel Hamilton had 17 points and 10 rebounds and the No. 9 seed Huskies (25-10) advanced to the second round of the South Region.