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USA TODAY Sports’ Nancy Armour recaps the major developments from Thursday’s NCAA tournament action and previews Friday’s games.
USA TODAY Sports

Northwestern waited 77 seasons to punch its first NCAA tournament bid, and capitalized with its first-ever victory in March Madness. The Wildcats escaped Vanderbilt, 68-66, after coughing up a 15-point second-half lead.

But the play that ultimately defined the game’s outcome was a costly gaffe by Vanderbilt. After the Commodores scored the go-ahead basket with 18 seconds left, Matthew Fisher-Davis inexplicably fouled Bryant McIntosh — an 86% free-throw shooter — to help Northwestern seal the historic victory. Afterwards, Fisher-Davis said, “I made a dumb (expletive) foul.”

Vandy coach Scott Drew downplayed Fisher-Davis’ foul and miscommunication afterwards: “We’re not even in position (to win) without him.”

McIntosh spearheaded the victory for the Wildcats, finishing with 25 points on a blistering 10-of-16 shooting from the field. “A dream come true. What a special moment for our program,” McIntosh said after the game.

Northwestern coach Chris Collins said: “We didn’t feel any pressure today. The pressure was getting to the tournament. We just made one more play in the end.”

Although Vanderbilt essentially made that last play for them.

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