Virginia Tech waited 11 years -- and most of its first-round matchup against Illinois -- to win another NCAA Tournament game.
After trailing by as many as 13, the Hokies beat Illinois, 54-52, on Deron Washington's banked runner in the final minute last night in the West Regional at Columbus, Ohio.
Illinois (23-12) led by 10 with just over four minutes left, but didn't score in the last 4:28 as the Hokies had the last 12 points. It's the Hokies' eighth NCAA trip, but their first since 1996.
After trailing, 52-42, the Hokies (24-11) pulled to 52-50 with Washington hitting a 3-pointer, Coleman Collins making two free throws and Washington canning another 3 from the right corner with 2:25 left.
While the Fighting
After Jamon Gordon's free throw and a miss by Illinois, the Hokies trailed, 52-51, with just under a minute left. Washington drove the lane and let fly with a 14-footer that bounded off the backboard and fell in with 45.5 seconds left.
Kansas 107, Niagara 67 -- Sent to the sideline by first-round losses against Bucknell and Bradley the last two seasons, the top-seeded Jayhawks (31-4) proved too fast, too deep, and too talented for the Purple Eagles in Chicago.
And when they weren't running for points, coach Bill Self's Jayhawks were sinking shots from long range with ease in winning their 12th straight game. They were 13 of 22 on 3-pointers, while Niagara (23-12) made only 2 of 19.
When Mario Chalmers hit two 3-pointers and Russell Robinson added another to open the second half, the Jayhawks had a 61-33 lead. Then it was pretty much showtime.
Chalmers led Kansas -- making its 18th straight and 36th overall appearance in the NCAA Tournament -- with 19 points. Charron Fisher paced 16th-seeded Niagara with 17.
Kentucky 67, Villanova 58 -- Randolph Morris finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds, and eighth-seeded Kentucky (22-11) flexed its muscle in the second half of a win over Villanova (22-11) in Chicago.
Jodie Meeks (12), Ramel Bradley (11), and Joe Crawford (10) also finished in double figures.