Memphis, Tenn. Kelyn Block's reward for leading Indiana State to a stunning victory over Oklahoma in the first round of the NCAA Tournament was an emergency trip to the dentist.
The junior had three teeth either knocked out or chipped late in regulation, then found a way to help the 13th-seeded Sycamores beat No. 4 Oklahoma 70-68 in overtime Friday in the South Regional at Memphis, Tenn.
Block scored five of his 17 points in overtime after he dramatically returned from the locker room just before the tipoff of the extra period.
"He's on his way to the oral surgeon," coach Royce Waltman said. "I had said yesterday about how tough I thought Oklahoma was. We said our only opportunity to win was to display some toughness of our own and we did that today."
Indiana State (22-11) advanced with its first tournament victory since Larry Bird led the team to the 1979 title game. The Sycamores will face 12th-seeded Gonzaga on Sunday in the second round. The Bulldogs beat fifth-seeded Virginia 86-85 in the first round.
Matt Renn had 22 points to lead ISU. Renn scored 16 points in the final 141/2 minutes of regulation as the Sycamores rallied from a 47-34 deficit.
Renn scored with 2:52 left to give Indiana State a 57-56 lead, its first since 16-15, then added two free throws with 2:18 left to make it 59-56.
Oklahoma (26-7) the Big 12 tournament champion got within 59-57 on a free throw by Nolan Johnson with 1:23 to play, then came the play that altered Block's dental status.
Hollis Price of OU drove the lane and was fouled by Block. As the two went to the ground, Price struck him in the face with an inadvertent elbow. While Block was being attended to, so was Price, whose right elbow was cut on the play.
Price, an 81-percent free-throw shooter, was replaced at the line by Tim Heskett, who shoots 85 percent. Heskett missed both foul shots, but grabbed the rebound. Johnson tied the score with 34 seconds to play on a drive.
Djibril Kante made two free throws with 28 seconds left, giving the Sycamores a two-point lead, but Price, who returned with his elbow heavily taped, scored on a drive with 19 seconds left in regulation.
Block, cheered by the Indiana State fans as he ran in from the locker room, gave the Sycamores a quick lead in the overtime with a steal and layup. Marcus Howard gave them the lead for good at 65-63 on a drive with 3:19 left and Block's drive with 1:44 left made it 68-65.
"That was a huge lift," Indiana State point guard Michael Menser said of Block's return.
Kelley Newton matched his career-high with 26 points for Oklahoma, while Johnson had 15 and Price 11.
Half of the tournament's first 24 games were won by underdogs.
Temple 79, Texas 65
New Orleans No. 11 seed Temple held No. 6 Texas to 39-percent shooting, and Quincy Wadley scored 20 of his 23 points in the first half. The victory came after one of coach John Chaney's toughest seasons. He kicked two players off the team, watched injuries shrink his roster to eight scholarship players and had the longest losing streak in his career seven. The Owls (22-12) used only seven players, three fewer than Texas (25-9). Darren Kelly and Chris Owens each scored 15 points for Texas. Kelly also had 10 rebounds. Marice Evans, averaging 15.8 points a game for Texas, was held to 10.
Gonzaga 86, Virginia 85
Memphis, Tenn. Casey Calvary put back a blocked shot with 9.2 seconds left as No. 12 seed Gonzaga (25-6) beat fifth-seeded Virginia. Dan Dickau had 29 points and Calvary had 16 points and 15 rebounds. Roger Mason Jr. scored a career-high 30 for Virginia (20-9). The Zags reached the Sweet 16 last year after making it to the regional finals a year earlier.
Florida 69,
Western Kentucky 56
New Orleans The Gators (24-6), who reached the title game last season, used a 14-0 run early in the second half to take control against Western Kentucky (24-7). Udonis Haslem had 24 points and 11 rebounds, and Brett Nelson scored 19.
Penn State 69,
Providence 59
New Orleans Joe Crispin scored 13 points and brother Jon Crispin added 11 to lead Penn State (20-11) over Providence. Gyasi Cline-Heard had 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Titus Ivory added 13 points. Erron Maxey led Providence (21-10) with 16 points.
Michigan State 69, Alabama State 35
Memphis, Tenn. The Hornets made history by matching Wake Forest's record set earlier Friday with 10 second-half points Friday night against Michigan State. Jason Richardson scored 14 points and Andre Hutson had 15 for Michigan State (25-4).
North Carolina 70, Princeton 48
New Orleans The Tar Heels, returning to the site of their last two NCAA championship victories, built a 36-16 halftime lead. Brendan Haywood finished with 15 points for UNC, and Joseph Forte had 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Fresno St. 82, Cal 70
Memphis, Tenn. Demetrius Porter scored a career-high 27 points and helped stem three second-half comebacks by California. The victory gave coach Jerry Tarkanian a 17-1 record in the first round of the NCAA tournament.




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