OMAHA, Neb. — One of the biggest upsets in NCAA tournament history, No. 15 seed Norfolk State stunned No. 2 seed Missouri with an 86-84 win Friday in Omaha in the first round of the 2012 NCAA Tournament.
The Norfolk State Spartans (26-9, 13-3 MEAC) jumped out to a 15-7 lead with 13:00 to play in the 1st half. The Missouri Tigers (30-5, 14-4 Big 12) answered with a 9-0 run to take their first lead with 11:27 left. After trailing for most of the 1st half, the Tigers managed to tie it up 38-38 at halftime.
In the 2nd half, Mizzou was down 85-81 with :17 seconds to play. Missouri sophomore guard Phil Pressey nailed a three pointer to make it 85-84. Down by two, Missouri called timeout with 2.9 seconds left. Phil Pressey missed a three-point attempt at the buzzer, and the rest is history.
Norfolk State’s improbable win marks the fifth time a No. 15 seed has defeated a No. 2 seed in NCAA tournament history. Senior center Kyle O’Quinn led the Spartan charge with 26 points and 14 rebounds.
Junior guard Michael Dixon led the Tigers with 22 points off the bench. Phil Pressey recorded 20 points and 8 assists. Senior guard Marcus Denmon also netted 20 points.
Norfolk State out-rebounded Missouri, 35-23. Missouri shot 44.8% from beyond the arc. The Tigers hit 13 of 29 three-point attempts. The Spartans shot 52.6% from three-point land, hitting 10 of 19 three-point attempts.
