Now, it’s party time.

The 13th-seeded Braves are on their way to the third round for the first time in 51 years after their latest stunner – a 72-66 victory over fifth-seeded Pittsburgh on Sunday in the Oakland Regional.

“Being part of this program spanning 30 years … to see the jubilation on the faces of those people, and getting the calls and text messages from people enjoying this run, that gives me tremendous pleasure,” said coach Jim Les, a former BU point guard. “Bradley basketball is back on the map in a big way.”

Patrick O’Bryant had 28 points and seven rebounds, and Marcellus Sommerville added 18 points and six rebounds for the Braves (22-10), who join fellow Missouri Valley Conference member Wichita State in the round of 16. They will play top-seeded Memphis on Thursday.

Playing in their first NCAA Tournament in 10 years, the Braves have looked like seasoned veterans with surprising victories over fourth-seeded Kansas and now the Panthers (25-8), becoming the first No. 13 seed in the regional semifinals since Oklahoma in 1999.

They didn’t wait to make the six-hour trip back home to Peoria, Ill., to start celebrating.

As the horn sounded, the Bradley players leaped over the scorer’s table and joined thousands of red-clad Braves faithful in the stands.

O’Bryant, a sophomore from Blaine, Minn., led the way after rendering Pitt’s 7-footer a non-factor, getting Aaron Gray in early foul trouble with his quickness and then simply outplaying him in the second half.

“It was a great feeling, because those fans have been with us all year,” O’Bryant said.

After dominating the smaller Kent State in the first round with 17 points and 13 rebounds, Gray had to look eye-to-eye with O’Bryant in this one and couldn’t measure up, scoring 12 points and grabbing four rebounds.

Gray buried his head in his locker for several minutes after the game, unable to get himself together.

“There are so many emotional highs and lows,” Gray said. “You play really well one night, and the next night, you don’t play well at all. The great players bring it every night.”

Pittsburgh’s Carl Krauser said before the tourney started he was looking forward to a possible rematch with former Pitt coach Ben Howland and UCLA in the regional final.

But that will be for Bradley to dream about now.

There were only 24 teams in the tournament the last time Bradley advanced to the third round in 1955. It lost to Colorado that year, ending the school’s bid for three title-game appearances in five years.

The Braves raced to a 16-4 lead behind O’Bryant’s inside presence and Pitt’s 1-for-10 start from the field, then really took control in the second half.

O’Bryant and Sommerville combined for all 13 of Bradley’s points during a 13-2 run in the first six minutes of the second half that put the Braves in control.

“They weren’t intimidated at all,” Pitt forward Levon Kendall said. “They were in our face the whole game.”

Playing in their school-record fifth straight NCAA Tournament, the Panthers looked like nervous kids against the newcomers from Bradley.

They committed careless turnovers, missed free throws and lost their composure throughout the game. Krauser, playing in his ninth NCAA Tournament game, came unglued several times, and Gray picked up a technical foul in the second half when he slammed the ball to the court after being whistled for a five-second call.

“This has been the best five years I’ve ever spent,” said Krauser, who had 17 points and six turnovers.

Memphis 72, Bucknell 56

Dallas – Once their best player went out early with foul trouble, the Bucknell Bison didn’t have a chance against the mighty Memphis Tigers.

The top-seeded Tigers took full advantage of the absence of Charles Lee, outscoring the Bison, 15-2, for a cushion they rode to victory.

Antonio Anderson scored 13, and Joey Dorsey added 12, helping Memphis (32-3) win for the 21st time in 22 games.

Bucknell (27-5) was trying to become the fourth No. 9 seed to take down a No. 1 and the first team from its brainy league to win a second-round game. The Bison became the first-ever NCAA winners from the Patriot League last year when they beat Kansas in the first round.

Chris McNaughton led Bucknell with 15 points.