Sports

Actions

Oral Roberts shocks Ohio State, first big upset of NCAAs

NCAA Ohio St Oral Roberts Basketball
Posted at 2:57 PM, Mar 19, 2021
and last updated 2021-03-19 17:58:39-04

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Oral Roberts welcomed the madness back to March.

The 15th-seeded Golden Eagles pulled off the first major upset of the first NCAA Tournament in two years, holding off second-seeded Big Ten power Ohio State 75-72 in overtime.

Oral Roberts got poised, impeccable performances from its two-star players, guard Max Abmas and forward Kevin Obanor, to become the ninth 15 seed to win a first-round game and the first since Middle Tennessee shocked Michigan State in 2016.

According to ESPN, Oral Roberts in the first lowest seed team to win an overtime game in the men's round of 64.

Obanor scored seven of Oral Roberts' 11 points in overtime, including two free throws with 13 seconds left, and finished with 30 points and 11 rebounds.

Abmas scored 29 points.

According to ESPN, 95% of brackets had picked Ohio State to defeat ORU.

The Golden Eagles (17-10) will play seventh-seeded Florida on Sunday.