Buckeyes And Pitt Survive Overtime Scares...Vandy Wins In Double OT

UNDATED (AP) Ohio State has reached the NCAA's South Regional semifinals by outlasting a state rival on a day when three tournament games needed more than 40 minutes to decide.<br/><br/>The top-seeded

Saturday, March 17th 2007, 2:51 pm

By: News On 6

UNDATED (AP) Ohio State has reached the NCAA's South Regional semifinals by outlasting a state rival on a day when three tournament games needed more than 40 minutes to decide.

The top-seeded Buckeyes trailed 55-44 with 7Â½ minutes left in regulation before pulling out a 78-71 overtime win against Xavier. Ron Lewis scored a game-high 27 points and forced overtime by draining a 3-pointer with 2 seconds left in the 2nd half. Mike Conley contributed 11 of his 21 points in the extra period to help the Buckeyes reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999.

Ohio State is 32-3 following its 19th consecutive win. The Buckeyes next face the winner of Sunday's game between Virginia and Tennessee.

Texas A&M is in the round of 16 for the first time in 27 years. The Aggies held off Louisville 72-69 in another second game in the South Regional. Acie Law made 2 free throws with 1.7 seconds to go to give him 26 points.

Maryland is out of the Midwest Regional in the second round. Butler dumped the Terps 62-59 to advance to the round of 16 for only the second time in school history. A.J. Graves scored 19 points, including a huge 3-pointer down the stretch.

East top-seed North Carolina advanced by beating Michigan State 81-67. Tyler Hansbrough was huge in the middle with 33 points and 9 boards for the Tar Heels.

Georgetown is in the Sweet 16 for the second straight year. The Hoyas survived by rallying from an 8-point deficit to beat Boston College 62-55. Seven-foot-two Roy Hibbert had 15 of his 17 points in the 2nd half. He also hauled down 12 rebounds. Jeff Green had a poor shooting night by made two 3-point plays in the final 2 minutes.

Next up for the Hoyas is Vanderbilt. The Commodores survived in double overtime to beat 3rd-seed Washington State, 78-74. Derrick Byars scored 27 points, including 5 3-pointers. Shan Foster added 20 for Vandy.

In the West Regional, Pittsburgh lost a 19-point lead but recovered in overtime to beat Virginia Commonwealth 84-79. Sam Young came off the bench to lead the Panthers with 15. Aaron Gray had 14 points and 8 rebounds.

In the final game of the night, West #2 seed UCLA eliminated Indiana 54-49. Darren Collison had 15 for the Bruins.