Xavier Edmonds’ layup with 4.3 seconds left lifts TCU to 66-64 March Madness win over Ohio State

TCU forward Xavier Edmonds (24) celebrates scoring during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Ohio State, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) 2026-03-19T18:48:40Z GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — David Punch provided some bulletin-board material this week when he told the Columbus Dispatch that TCU would beat Ohio State “nine times out of 10” because of its athleticism. On Thursday, Punch and the Horned Frogs backed up his bold talk. Punch delivered a textbook entry pass to Xavier Edmonds, who converted a layup to beat the shot clock with 4.3 seconds left as No. 9 seed TCU held off a furious second-half rally by eighth-seeded Ohio State for a 66-64 victory to open the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Bruce Thornton’s half-court heave at the buzzer hit all backboard, and the Buckeyes’ standout senior leaned forward and put his hands on his knees in dismay near midcourt as TCU began its celebration. Micah Robinson made four 3-pointers and scored 18 points to lead TCU, Edmonds scored 16 and Punch had 16 points and 13 rebounds. The Horned Frogs (23-11) will play Saturday against either No. 16 seed Siena or Duke, the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament. “I felt like it kind of put a little more pressure on us, but at the same time, I know his words were just a little bit misconstrued and a little twisted,” Edmonds said of Punch’s comments. “That’s not 100 percent how he meant it. Still we seen it, and we felt like we had to stand on it. So we wanted to go out there and make sure we won nine out of 10 times.” The 6-foot-7 Punch hurt the Buckeyes with his physicality in the paint, but no play was bigger than finding Edmonds for the winner. “We got it to Punch, and he created some space,” Edmonds said. “He didn’t have a shot he wanted, so he kicked it out to me, and I had a good seal and I just went up with it. Credit to him for making a better pass.” John Mobley Jr. scored 15 points to lead Ohio

原文链接: AP News