TAMPA, Fla. — Western Kentucky blew another big lead, then responded with another clutch performance.
Behind Courtney Lee’s dazzling array of shots early and his free throws down the stretch Sunday, the 12th-seeded Hilltoppers advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 15 years with a 72-63 victory over No. 13 seed San Diego (22-14).
Now comes the toughest test — Western Kentucky (29-6) will play top-seeded UCLA in the West Regional semifinals.
“I’m not totally surprised that we’re here,” Hilltoppers coach Darrin Horn said. “We thought this was a special team coming into it.”
Lee, the Sun Belt Conference player of the year, finished with 29 points and seven rebounds.
WESTERN KENTUCKY 72, SAN DIEGO 63
SAN DIEGO (22-14)
Pomare 7-10 6-8 20, Jones 4-6 3-6 11, B.Johnson 4-15 3-8 13, T.Johnson 2-7 2-2 7, Jackson 3-6 1-2 7, Ginty 1-3 0-0 3, Lewis 0-0 0-0 0, Brown 0-0 0-0 0, Houston 0-0 2-2 2. Totals 21-47 17-28 63.
WESTERN KENTUCKY (29-6)
Magley 0-1 0-0 0, Evans 3-7 3-4 9, Brazelton 6-15 1-4 15, Rogers 1-3 3-3 5, Lee 9-15 7-8 29, Slaughter 1-1 2-2 4, Mendez-Valdez 1-3 0-0 2, Siakam 3-3 0-0 6, Pettigrew 1-4 0-0 2. Totals 25-52 16-21 72.
Halftime — Western Kentucky 39-27. 3-point goals —San Diego 4-15 (B. Johnson 2-8, Ginty 1-2, T. Johnson 1-4, Jackson 0-1); Western Kentucky 6-16 (Lee 4-5, Brazelton 2-6, Evans 0-1, Rogers 0-2, Mendez-Valdez 0-2). Fouled out —Jackson. Rebounds — San Diego 30 (Pomare 9), Western Kentucky 31 (Evans 7, Lee 7). Assists — San Diego 11 (B. Johnson 4), Western Kentucky 11 (Brazelton 5). Total fouls —San Diego 20, Western Kentucky 19. A — 14,504.
