There has been another upset and the NCAA tournament has just begun. 12th seed North Dakota State beat number five seed Oklahoma 80-75 on Thursday.
North Dakota had a lead that was in the single digits for most of the second half. Oklahoma guard Cameron Clark made a three with just over two minutes left to cut the lead to one. Shorty after that Isaiah Cousins gave Oklahoma a one point lead with a couple of three pointers. With about 20 seconds to go Lawrence Alexander made a three-pointer to tie the game at 66. Oklahoma then missed three attempts to win the game and it went to overtime, according to Sports Illustrated.
Taylor Braun gave Oklahoma a 72-70 lead with a minute and a half left in overtime. Braun fouled out in the final seconds of overtime. Carlin Dupree made two free throws and scored with 41 seconds left to give North Dakota the win. Alexander had a career-high 28 points and Clark led Oklahoma with 25 points, according to the Associated Press.
''You guys figure out how big it is,'' North Dakota coach Saul Phillips said. ''I know it's very gratifying and I know that for guys like Lawrence and Carlin and everybody on this team, couldn't have happened to a more fitting group of guys, because they have done what it takes to be exactly where we are right now, year-round. We'll gladly be your Cinderella, America.''
North Dakota is only in its sixth season at the Division I level. This is their second appearance in the NCAA tournament and first since 2009. North Dakota will face the winner of San Diego State and New Mexico State on Saturday.