BUFFALO, N.Y. — In his four seasons at Gonzaga, Matt Bouldin is familiar with what it takes to come through in the clutch.
It was Bouldin’s composure — and the 14 points he scored in the second half — that allowed the eighth-seeded Bulldogs to avoid squandering an 18-point lead and hang on for a 67-60 victory over Florida State on Friday night.
“We play in so many big games like that all across the country that they’re essentially NCAA Tournament games, really,” Bouldin said. “But after the game, I’m not really thinking about all those other games we had. I’m just really happy about this victory.”
In finishing with 17 points, Bouldin, a graduate of ThunderRidge High School, made five of six free throws and had a key defensive rebound in the final 90 seconds as the Bulldogs (27-6) withstood a second-half rally by the Seminoles (22-10).
Xavier 65, Minnesota 54
MILWAUKEE — Jordan Crawford scored 17 of his 28 points in the second half, and the Musketeers (25-8) advanced to the second round for the fourth straight year, this time under first-year coach Chris Mack.
“There are different ways to motivate kids, and we’re really tired of being ‘The Little Engine that Could,’ ” Mack said. “We’re a really good program, and our kids aren’t scared to play anybody. We don’t always win, but we’re not afraid to compete.”
Dante Jackson smothered the Gophers’ best shooters on defense, Jamel McLean had 14 rebounds and Crawford provided the highlight plays for the sixth-seeded Musketeers.
Pittsburgh 89, Oakland (Mich.) 66
MILWAUKEE — Jermaine Dixon and Gilbert Brown had 17 points each, leading six players who scored in double figures for the third- seeded Panthers.
Brown’s strong performance off the bench was a boost for the Panthers (25-8), who are making their ninth straight NCAA appearance and have advanced to the round of 16 in five of the previous eight.
Syracuse 79, Vermont 56
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Wes Johnson had 18 points and the Orange (29-4), playing without injured center Arinze Onuaku, avenged a stunning overtime loss to the Catamounts (25-10) in the 2005 tournament.
