LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It took a while for Jae Crowder and Marquette to get going.
When they finally did, however, Murray State’s hopes of making its first trip to the regional semifinals never stood a chance.
Crowder scored six points during a decisive 14-2 run late in the second half, and No. 3 seed Marquette held on for a 62-53 victory that sends the Golden Eagles to the West Regional semifinals Thursday in Phoenix. Crowder finished with 17 points, 12 in the second half, and 13 rebounds. Darius Johnson-Odom added 17 points for Marquette (27-7).
Isaiah Canaan had 16 points and six rebounds for the sixth-seeded Racers (31-2), who fell just short of their first trip to the regional semifinals for the second time in three years.
This one is sure to sting too, even if it wasn’t as gut-wrenchingly close as 2010.
Murray State lost to Butler 54-52 in 2010 when Gordon Hayward forced a Canaan turnover with about 10 seconds left. The ball rolled into the backcourt as time expired.
Louisville 59, New Mexico 56
PORTLAND, Ore. — Russ Smith had 17 points to lead the Cardinals (28-9), who lost their first game of the tournament the past two seasons.
