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Georgia Tech toes the line, moves on
Tech

MILWAUKEE — Too bad the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets gave up their cell phones. They'd sure love to spread the word about this win.

Gani Lawal scored 14 points, Derrick Favors came within a rebound of a double-double and the free throw-challenged Yellow Jackets scored their last 13 points at the line Friday night to hold off seventh-seeded Oklahoma State 64-59 in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

It was a disappointing finish for James Anderson and the Cowboys (22-11), who never quite found their rhythm. Anderson, the nation's third-leading scorer, was just 3 of 12 for 11 points while Obi Muonelo had 10 points on 4-of-11 shooting. The Cowboys were one of the nation's best 3-point shooting teams, averaging better than 35 percent. But they were just 6 of 22 from long range, including Anderson's 0 for 6.

The 10th-seeded Yellow Jackets will play the winner of UC Santa Barbara-Ohio State on Sunday. The Buckeyes may be the No. 2 seed in the Midwest, but Georgia Tech has to like its chances. Its victory Friday moved them to 5-0 in NCAA tournament games at the Bradley Center.

One thing's for sure, the Yellow Jackets' cell phone lockdown will continue for at least two more days.

The Yellow Jackets had lost five of seven heading into last weekend's Atlantic Coast Conference tournament. Desperate for something that could bring his team together, coach Paul Hewitt suggested his players give up their cell phones. Wary at first, the Yellow Jackets did it — and lo and behold. They won three straight before falling to Duke in the championship game, and happily handed over their cell phones again this week.

But the Yellow Jackets got the better of Oklahoma State in several scrums for the ball, and Anderson had a critical turnover with 21 seconds left.

Wisconsin avoids upset, beats Wofford 53-49

Slow and plodding early, fast and frantic late. No matter the tempo, Wisconsin stayed poised against pesky Wofford.

It's exactly what coach Bo Ryan expected from his team, which has plenty of NCAA tournament experience.

And in the end, the Badgers did exactly what they do best — play defense.

Jon Leuer followed a huge jump shot with an even more critical steal on the other end, and the fourth-seeded Badgers eked out an ugly 53-49 win over the 13th-seeded Terriers in the first round of the NCAA tournament Friday.

Leuer finished with 20 points, including two free throws with 4.2 seconds remaining that sealed the victory, and sent the Badgers into the second round for the fourth consecutive year. They will play No. 12 seed Cornell in the East Region on Sunday.

"He's been huge for us all year, and everybody knows that," teammate Keaton Nankivil said.

Trevon Hughes added 19 points for Wisconsin, including 12 of the team's first 21.