Shockers strut their stuff

By The Associated Press     Mar 17, 2006

? Sean Ogirri threw down a slam in transition, then ran by the Wichita State fans with his arms extended as if to announce, “Here I am.”

He might as well have been talking for the Missouri Valley Conference.

Ogirri had 23 points and hit six three-pointers to lead Wichita State past Seton Hall from the vaunted Big East, 86-66, Thursday in the first round of the Washington Regional, giving the mid-major conference an impressive debut after hearing plenty of criticism about its haul of four NCAA Tournament bids.

“We’re really proud of what we’ve done, and we weren’t going to let a bunch of people around the country who haven’t seen us make us feel any different,” Wichita State coach Mark Turgeon said of the conference. “We know what we have, and it’s pretty special.”

Paul Miller scored 15 points for the seventh-seeded Shockers (25-8), who advanced to face Tennessee in Saturday’s second round. It was Wichita State’s first NCAA win since reaching a regional final in 1981.

Kelly Whitney scored 18 points to lead the 10th-seeded Pirates (18-12).

Tennessee 63, Winthrop 61

Greensboro, N.C. – Chris Lofton’s remarkable shot allowed the second-seeded Volunteers (22-7) to avoid a major upset.

The sophomore guard took an inbound pass with 2.9 seconds left and rattled home a fallaway jumper from just inside the three-point line to provide the difference.

Craig Bradshaw missed a shot right before the buzzer that would have tied it for the 15th-seeded Eagles (23-8), winless in six trips to the tournament.

Illinois 78, Air Force 69

San Diego – Guard Jamar Smith had six three-pointers among his 20 points for the fourth-seeded Fighting Illini (26-6).

Dee Brown was held to eight points, the third time in the last five games that the star Illinois guard has been held to single digits. But he made up for it with nine assists and a career-high nine rebounds.

Brian Randle scored 15, and Warren Carter added 12 for 13th-seeded Air Force (24-7).

Illinois next will face Washington.

Washington 75, Utah State 61

San Diego – Brandon Roy scored 28 points, and Jamaal Williams added 15 to help fifth-seeded Washington reach the second round.

Justin Dentmon and Bobby Jones had 11 points apiece for the Huskies (25-6), who tied a season-high with 12 three-pointers – nine in the second half.

Jaycee Carroll scored 21 points, and Nate Harris had 19 points and 14 rebounds for Utah State.

The Aggies (23-9) lost in the first round for the 12th time in their last 13 NCAA appearances.

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