Murray State phenom Ja Morant recorded just the eighth triple-double in NCAA Tournament history–and first since Draymond Green’s in 2012–to lead his racers past 5th-seeded Marquette. Meanwhile, Wofford senior guard Fletcher Magee’s 505th career three-pointer set the NCAA record, as his Terriers used a late 17-0 run to pull away from Seton Hall.
Morant was more than advertised, adding to his 17 points with 16 assists and helping three other Racers score in double figures.
Magee finished with 24 points, while also extending his career record 509 threes and counting, as the Spartanburg school claimed its first NCAA Tournament victory.
Auburn survived a scare from 12th-seeded New Mexico State, escaping with 78-77 win on the back of Jared Harper’s 17 points on 4-of-8 perimeter shooting.
Maryland eked out a hard-earned 79-77 win over Belmont, led by Jalen Smith’s 19 points. Dylan Windler’s 35 points were not enough, as his Bruins came up just a hair short.
Defending champions Villanova took all they could handle from a gritty St. Mary’s squad, before emerging with a 61-57 victory. Senior Phil Booth led all scorers with 20 points.
Baylor’s 16 three-pointers were just enough to top Syracuse’s 12 triples in its own right, as the Bears pulled out a 79-69 win.
It was never easy, but LSU quelled Yale’s 2nd half comeback effort with a 79-74 victory over the 14th-seeded Bulldogs.
Mfiondu Kabengele came off the deep Seminole bench to lead Florida State with 21 points, as Leonard Hamilton’s team outlasted a very game Vermont 76-69.
Richard Pitino’s Golden Gophers were the first to punch a ticket to the Second Round, as 10th-seeded Minnesota held off Louisville 86-76.
Cody Martin’s 23 points weren’t enough for the Wolf Pack, as Nevada fell to Florida 70-61.
Cassius Winston had 26 points to navigate Michigan State out of ominous danger, as the Spartans came back late to turn away 15th-seeded Bradley’s ambitious upset bid.
It was never in doubt, as top-seeded Gonzaga routed First Four survivors Fairleigh Dickinson 87-49.
In a rematch of last year’s First Round, Michigan pulled away in the second half to beat Montana 74-55.
Dedric Lawson pulled down 11 boards to go with his game-high 25 points, as Kansas cruised to an 87-53 win over Northeastern.
Keldon Johnson paced Kentucky with 25 points in PJ Washington’s absence, as the second-seeded Wildcats breezed to a 79-44 win over Abilene Christian.
Carsen Edwards’s 26 points steered the Boilermakers in Purdue’s 61-48 win over Old Dominion to close out Thursday’s First Round action.
