NCAA Tournament roundup: Oregon routs second-seeded Iowa

Associated Press
Monday, March 22, 2021 3:39 p.m. | Monday, March 22, 2021 3:39 p.m.

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Iowa’s Luka Garza has his shot blocked by Oregon’s Eugene Omoruyi during the first half of a NCAA Tournament second-round game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Monday, March 22, 2021, in Indianapolis.

Chris Duarte scored 23 points, and Oregon showed no signs of rust after a long layoff, beating No. 2 seed Iowa, 95-80, on Monday to reach the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in the past five NCAA Tournaments.

The seventh-seed Ducks (21-6) were put in an unprecedented spot, advancing to the West Region’s second round without playing a game. Virginia Commonwealth’s multiple positive covid-19 tests took care of that, leaving Oregon with a nine-day break since losing in the Pac-12 Tournament title game.

Luka Garza played like a two-time All-American, bullying in for three-point plays, hitting mid-range jumpers and dropping in the occasional 3-pointer. He capped his stellar college career with 36 points and nine rebounds before receiving a nice ovation from the limited crowd allowed in Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Gonzaga 87, Oklahoma 71 — Gonzaga continued to roll behind a career-high 30 points and 13 rebounds from Drew Timme as the top-seeded Bulldogs beat No. 8 seed Oklahoma.

Gonzaga (28-0) won its 32nd straight game dating to last season, passing its first real test of the NCAAs in the Bulldogs’ quest to be the first undefeated champion since Indiana 45 years ago.

Oklahoma became the 25th straight team the Bulldogs beat by double digits.

Creighton 72, Ohio 58 — Marcus Zegarowski scored 20 points, securing Creighton’s first trip to the round of 16 in 47 years. Damien Jefferson added 15 points for the Bluejays (22-8), the fifth seed in the West Region.

East

Michigan 86, LSU 78 — Top-seeded Michigan salvaged the Big Ten’s best hope for NCAA Tournament glory, getting 21 points each from Chaundee Brown and Eli Brooks in a a roller-coaster victory over talent-rich LSU.

In a game full of big runs, the Wolverines (22-4) used the biggest — 14-1 over the decisive stretch midway through the second half — to pull away and preserve a glimmer of hope for a conference that has mostly tanked these four days in Indianapolis.

UCLA 67, Abilene Christian 47 — Johnny Juzang scored 17 points, and 11th-seeded UCLA carefully brushed off pesky Abilene Christian to become the fifth team to go from First Four to Sweet 16.

The Bruins (20-9) meet the winner of Maryland-Alabama in their first regional semifinal appearance since 2017 — and their first with second-year coach Mick Cronin.