In a thrilling NCAA matchup, Tramon Mark hit a fadeaway jumper just before the buzzer, sealing Texas’s 68-66 win over NC State in Dayton, Ohio. This victory was crucial for the Longhorns, who entered the tournament with a shaky record, having lost five of their last six games.
Mark led Texas with 17 points, showcasing his clutch performance again—this marked his fourth game-winner in the final moments of a game. The Longhorns, who now sit at 19-14, will face BYU next in Portland.
Coach Sean Miller’s team jumped to a 62-53 lead late in the game, thanks to Chendall Weaver’s free throws. However, NC State, also struggling with five losses in their last six games, mounted a fierce comeback. Paul McNeil Jr. hit two crucial three-pointers, pushing the Wolfpack back into contention.
With only a minute left, NC State managed a tie at 66-66 after a turnover led to a successful free throw by Tre Holloman. Mark, however, kept his cool. He managed to find space and hit the 19-foot jumper that would secure the win for Texas.
Matas Vokietaitis added 15 points and Dailyn Swain contributed 13 for Texas. Weaver also had a standout game, notching his first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. For NC State, Williams led all scorers with 21 points, while Quadir Copeland and McNeil chipped in 16 and 11 points, respectively.
This matchup was a rematch from earlier in the season, where Texas had narrowly defeated NC State 102-97. However, this time around, it was a defensive battle. Texas initially surged to a 25-15 lead but faced a scoring drought at the end of the first half, allowing NC State to rally and close the gap to 30-29 by halftime.
Interestingly, previous seasons have shown how tightly contested these early tournament games can be. In the past, lower-seeded teams have shocked higher seeds, sometimes making deep runs in the tournament. As of this year, over 60% of first-round games have ended with a single-digit difference, showcasing how unpredictable March Madness can be.
Fans are already buzzing about this year’s tournament on social media platforms, with trends focusing on unexpected upsets and thrilling buzzer-beaters. As the action unfolds, it’s clear that the stakes are high and anything can happen.
For more information on the NCAA tournament, you can check out reports from trusted sources like the NCAA.
