PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Omar Samhan played the game of his career on basketball’s biggest stage, finishing with 32 points and seven rebounds to lead 10th-seeded Saint Mary’s past Villanova 75-68 on Saturday and on to Houston for the South Regional’s Sweet 16.
Mickey McConnell stopped and fired an arcing 25-footer that banked high off the glass to give Saint Mary’s a 68-65 lead with 1:15 left.
Samhan used a two-handed block to turn back Reggie Redding, and McConnell made both ends of a 1-and-1 to make it 70-65.
Scottie Reynolds, who put Villanova in the Final Four last season with a last-second basket against Pittsburgh, was a big reason the Wildcats are heading home early. He missed 9-of-11 shots and scored eight points after a dud game in the tournament opener.
Baylor 76, Old Dom. 68
NEW ORLEANS — LaceDarius Dunn scored 26 points for the Bears in the second round.
Baylor squandered a 14-point first-half lead but went on a late 8-1 run to pull away. Baylor (27-7) now heads back to its home state to play No. 10 seed Saint Mary’s in Houston.
Old Dominion (27-9) rallied and pulled ahead in the second half, but the Bears received a big lift from 7-footer Josh Lomers, who tied a career high with 14 points, 12 in the second half.
