Tech erases 13-point second-half deficit
Quite often in the NCAA Tournament, upsets come about as the result of the lower seed jumping out to a significant lead and then holding on as the favorite battles back. But in this surprise, the Red Raiders were the team that had to fight their way out of a deep hole.
Down 38-29 at the half and by as much as 13 points in the first five minutes of the second half, Tech didn’t actually take its first lead of the game until there was 9:42 to go when a Devonne Giles bucket put the Red Raiders up 55-54. It capped a 9-0 run and signaled the point when the game truly started to pick up in terms of intensity.
After the teams traded blows for the next three minutes, the Zags took control again by moving out to a 62-57 advantage with just over five minutes to play. But moments later, a pair of free-throws from Giles would tie the game at 65 with 1:50 to play.
That set the stage for Ross’ signature moment of the game as the senior drilled a three on Tech’s next possession to put his team ahead 68-67 with 1:06 left. Then, Giles made the play of the game, one that the stat sheet couldn’t do justice to.
With the Red Raiders ahead 69-67 in the final 30 seconds, Morrison hoisted a contested three-pointer from the top of the key and in the ensuing scrum for the rebound, Giles corraled the ball just long enough to call for a timeout before falling out of bounds. In the box score, this showed up as just one of his five rebounds, but in reality, this heady play essentially sealed the game as the Bulldogs were forced to foul on the ensuing possession allowing Ross to seal the game with a pair of free-throws.
Giles did not have his best game that day. He was only 3-6 from the floor with eight points while picking up four fouls. The lanky JUCO transfer averaged 11.3 points per game that season as a senior but was dominated inside by the much bulkier Gonzaga big men. However, his athleticism and intelligence allowed him to make the play of the game when he saved possession for Tech at the game’s most critical juncture.