The Gonzaga Bulldogs are the first top-seeded team to go down in the 2013 NCAA Tournament.
March Madness 2013 bracket, Gonzaga vs. Wichita State: Shockers stun Bulldogs, 76-70
The Shockers are moving on to the Sweet 16 following their remarkable comeback win over top-seeded Gonzaga.
Streeter Lecka
Led by a fearless offensive attack that was aided greatly by clutch three-pointer after three-pointer, the Wichita St. Shockers shocked the top-ranked Zags in Salt Lake City on Saturday night, winning 76-70.
Gonzaga held what seemed to be a comfortable lead midway through the second half after trailing by five at the break. Then, almost suddenly, a barrage of three-pointers from the Shockers clawed them back into the game. With 3:30 left on the clock, WSU’s Carl Hall hit a jumper to give his team their first lead in nearly 10 minutes of play.
Then came some more threes for Wichita. Ron Baker hit one from the corner, and then freshman Fred Vanvleet hit one from 30 feet out with the shot clock winding down. When all was said and done, Wichita State ended the game on a 16-7 run.
Gonzaga also contributed to their own misery, as a handful of missed three-point and free-throw attempts in the final minute of play would end Gonzaga’s season. It was an unfitting end for a team that earned their first No. 1 overall ranking in school history just four short weeks ago.
Cleanthony Early led WSU with 16 points and six rebounds. When his team needed a basket in the second half, it seemed Early or Baker, who also had 16 points, were always in the right place at the right time.
Kelly Olynyk continued his strong season with a team-high 26 points and nine rebounds. Kevin Pangos went 4-for-11 from behind the arc on his way to 19 points. As a team, the Zags hit just 35 percent of their shot attempts.
With the win, Wichita St. moves on to the Sweet 16 to face either Ole Miss or La Salle. They will play on Thursday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
More in College Basketball:
See More:
