JP Pegues hit a 3-pointer with 2.4 seconds remaining, and No. 13 seed Furman completed a rally from a 12-point second-half deficit to hand fourth seed Virginia another 68-67 NCAA tournament first round loss. Thursday.
Making their first trip to the tournament in 43 years, the Paladins (28-7) advanced to the second round in the South Region, where they will play either San Diego State or Charleston on Saturday.
Kihei Clark, who excelled as a freshman on Virginia’s 2019 national title-winning team, threw a poor pass that Garrett Hein intercepted at half court with 7 seconds left, setting up the go-ahead basket for Hit.
Reece Beekman’s safety 3-pointer at the buzzer bounced off the rim and Virginia (25-8) was eliminated in the first round as the top-ranked team for the third time in its last four NCAA Tournaments, most notably its loss as No. 1 seed to UMBC 16 seed in 2018.
Also Thursday morning, Maryland overcame a slow start and a final jerk from Kedrian Johnson at the buzzer, outscoring West Virginia 67-65 in a first-round game.
