Jesperson’s halfcourt shot puts Northern Iowa past Texas
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Northern Iowa guard Paul Jesperson gestures to fans after hitting the game-winning shot against Texas in a first-round men’s college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Friday, March 18, 2016, in Oklahoma City.
OKLAHOMA CITY >> Paul Jesperson banked in a halfcourt shot at the buzzer to give 11th seeded Northern Iowa a 75-72 win over No. 6 seed Texas Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament’s West Region.
Hawaii defeated Northern Iowa 68-52 last December in the first round of the Diamond Head Classic.
Northern Iowa passed the ball in under its basket after Isaiah Taylor tied the game on a layup with 2.7 seconds to play. Jesperson caught the ball, took a few dribbles and heaved.
Wes Washpun scored 17 points, Jeremy Morgan scored 16 and Jesperson added 14 for the Panthers (23-12), who claimed their fifth NCAA Tournament win in school history.
Taylor scored 22 points, Eric Davis Jr. scored 13 and Javan Felix added 12 for the Longhorns (20-13).
Jesperson’s shot came in the same building where Golden State’s Stephen Curry hit a dramatic game-winner against the Oklahoma City Thunder last month.
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