NCAA Basketball

Davidson Stuns Goliath Hoyas

Posted: 2008-04-25 18:01:48

RALEIGH, N.C. (March 23) - Stephen Curry couldn't stop jumping up and down at midcourt at the final buzzer. Little Davidson was on its way to the NCAA tournament's round of 16 after another brilliant performance by its big-time guard.

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Chuck Burton, AP

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10. Davidson 74, 2. Georgetown 70 | Midwest Region
Stephen Curry scores 25 of his 30 points in the second half and Davidson neutralizes Georgetown's star center Roy Hibbert as the Wildcats storm back from a big second-half deficit.

Curry scored 25 of his 30 points in the second half and Davidson staged a remarkable comeback behind their star sophomore to stun mighty Georgetown 74-70 on Sunday in the second round of the Midwest Regional.

Curry missed 10 of his first 12 shots but stepped up at crunch time for Davidson, which trailed by 16 points with 15 minutes left. He had the go-ahead basket, a key 3-pointer, and then hit five of six free throws in the final 23 seconds in a performance that left the Hoyas, and everyone else, stunned.

No. 2 seed Georgetown was shooting 71 percent from the field early in the second half and led 48-32 before a stunning collapse under the weight of 20 turnovers and Curry's dominance.

Jason Richards added 20 points and kept Davidson (28-6) in it early when Curry was missing everything.

Davidson vs. Georgetown Highlights

Jessie Sapp scored 14 points and Jonathan Wallace finished with 12 for Georgetown (28-6), which lost despite shooting 63 percent from the field.

Davidson, which hadn't won an NCAA tournament game since 1969 before Friday, advanced to face Wisconsin on Friday in Detroit.

Georgetown, the nation's stingiest defensive team, came in allowing only 57.6 points per game and 37 percent shooting. That defensive prowess was on display early.

With waves of different defenders fighting through screens, Curry looked exhausted, and Davidson appeared spent.

Georgetown built a big lead and then started making mistakes. Ineffective 7-foot-2 center Roy Hibbert picked up his fourth foul by pushing off in the post. It was one of a series of turnovers that allowed Davidson to get back in it.

When Georgetown's defense finally lost Curry, he buried a 3-pointer from the right wing. He then fed Andrew Lovedale for a layup to make it 50-48 with 8:47 left.

Mens College Basketball

Kansas basketball coach Bill Self poses with students in Boys Town, Neb., Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Self, who visited Boys Town before appearing at an Omaha sports banquet in the evening, said he'll have no idea what the roster for the defending NCAA champions will look like until after June's NBA draft. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Kansas basketball coach Bill Self, center, jokes during a visit to Boys Town, Neb., Wednesday, May 7, 2008, as he stands near Boys Town Executive Director Steve Boes, left. said he'll have no idea what the roster for the defending NCAA champions will look like until after June's NBA draft. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Kansas basketball coach Bill Self, left, takes questions from students during a visit to Boys Town, Neb., Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Self, who was in Omaha for a sports banquet, said he'll have no idea what the roster for the defending NCAA championship team will look like until after June's NBA draft. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

** FILE ** In this Jan. 9, 2008 file photo, LSU's Garrett Temple (14) knocks the ball away from Mississippi State's Ben Hansbrough, right, and Temple eventually ends up with the ball during the first half of a college basketball game in Baton Rouge, La. Hansbrough, who helped Mississippi State advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament last month, is transferring to Notre Dame. (AP Photo/Bill Feig, File)

Memphis head coach John Calipari smiles as he answers a question at a news conference at the college basketball Final Four in this April 6, 2008 file photo, in San Antonio. Calipari has signed a contract extension through the 2012-13 season that includes an annual raise of $500,000. Calipari will make $2.35 million per year and will receive a $5 million bonus if he stays through the end of the deal, athletic director R.C. Johnson announced Saturday, April 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

** FILE ** This March 27, 2008 file photo shows Texas guard D.J. Augustin (14) smiling during a news conference at the NCAA South Regional basketball tournament in Houston. All-American point guard D.J. Augustin says he is leaving Texas after two seasons to turn pro. He said Wednesday April 23, 2008 that he has long dreamed of playing in the NBA and that he is "ready to start living this dream." (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

** FILE ** In this March 22, 2008 file photo, Mississippi State guard Jamont Gordon responds to a question during a news conference at the NCAA men's basketball tournament South Regional in North Little Rock, Ark. Gordon has decided to turn pro but won't hire an agent before the NBA draft. Gordon told The Associated Press he planned to file the paperwork. In a phone interview Tuesday afternoon April 22, 2008, Gordon said he intends to go through with the draft if he remains injury free. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

** FILE ** In this March 23, 2008 file photo, Mississippi State guard Jamont Gordon (44) takes a shot as Memphis guard Antonio Anderson (5) defends in the first half of an NCAA men's basketball second-round South Regional game in North Little Rock, Ark. Gordon has decided to turn pro but won't hire an agent before the NBA draft. Gordon told The Associated Press he planned to file the paperwork. In a phone interview Tuesday afternoon April 22, 2008, Gordon said he intends to go through with the draft if he remains injury free. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

** FILE ** This March 19, 2006 file photo shows Bucknell basketball coach Pat Flannery pleading with an official during the first half of their NCAA tournament second-round basketball game against Memphis in Dallas. Flannery is retiring after 14 years on the bench at his alma mater. A person at the university told The Associated Press of Flannery's retirement Friday morning, April 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam, File)

** FILE ** Memphis coach John Calipari talks with Memphis freshman guard Derrick Rose (23) in the first half of the NCAA South Regional basketball final in Houston in this March 30, 2008 file photo, in Houston. Rose announced on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 he was jumping to the NBA, the same day Calipari agreed in principle to a contract extension with the school. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

After picking up his fourth foul with 4:15 left, Curry scored on a nifty scoop shot in the lane and hit a deep 3 to give Davidson a 65-60 lead with 2:56 left.

It led to a roar from the partisan crowd. Not only was Davidson playing 160 miles from campus, but North Carolina fans adopted the in-state school ahead of the Tar Heels' later game against Arkansas.

Davidson was now getting the breaks, too. Curry, son of former NBA sharpshooter Dell Curry, had a 3-point attempt partially blocked, but it landed in Lovedale's hands for a layup to make it 67-60.

The Hoyas' comeback bid was foiled by Curry's free-throw shooting, allowing Davidson to extend the nation's longest winning streak to 24 in the most improbable fashion.

As the final seconds ticked down, the baby-faced Curry jumped at midcourt, did a chest bump with Richards and was mobbed by the rest of his teammates.

Then, the team gathered in front of the band and sang Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline," which had become the theme song during Davidson's memorable season. The Wildcats hadn't been a player in the NCAA tournament since Lefty Driesell led them to two regional finals in the 1960s.

Georgetown could only look on, stunned at its second-round exit a year after reaching the Final Four under coach John Thompson III.

Latest Cheerleader Photos

Cheerleaders perform during training for the beach volleyball events ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 7, 2008. (Carlos Barria, Reuters)

Carlos Barria, Reuter

Chinese cheerleaders perform at the break of the USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team against the Russian National Team during the USA Basketball International Challenge exhibition game at the Qizhong Arena on August 3, 2008 in Shanghai, China. (MN Chan, Getty Images)

MN Chan, Getty Images

Cheerleaders dance during the men's preliminary round beach volleyball match between Russia and Italy at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 12, 2008. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (CHINA)

Reuters

Cheerleaders perform before the men's 69kg Group A weightlifting competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 12, 2008. REUTERS/Yves Herman (CHINA)

Reuters

A man rides a bicycle past tribunes as Chinese cheerleaders wave flags at the rowing venue during the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Cheerleaders perform during a time out in a 2008 Beijing Olympics Women's preliminary match of Beach Volleyball at Beijing's Chaoyang Park on August 11, 2008. AFP PHOTO/THOMAS COEX (Photo credit should read THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Cheerleaders perform during a time out in a 2008 Beijing Olympic Women's preliminary match of Beach Volleyball at Beijing's Chaoyang Park Beach volleyball ground on August 11, 2008. AFP PHOTO/THOMAS COEX (Photo credit should read THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Cheerleaders perform during a time out in a Women's preliminary match of Beach Volleyball at Beijing's Chaoyang Park Beach volleyball ground, August 11, 2008. AFP PHOTO/THOMAS COEX (Photo credit should read THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

A cheerleader is thrown up the air while performing during half-time break at the men's pool MB hockey match between Australia and Canada at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 11, 2008. REUTERS/Tim Wimborne (CHINA)

Reuters

Cheerleaders perform during break of men's field hockey match between Pakistan and Britain at the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games on August 11, 2008. Great Britain won 4-2. AFP PHOTO/ AAMIR QURESHI (Photo credit should read /AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

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2008-03-23 17:24:25

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118 comments

akasha50 09:13:58 AM Mar 25 2008

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Hibbert has to be the laziest guy ever. He'll go on to the next level and make some money, but what a slacker! A guy 7'2" and 275 pounds winds up his career with more personal fouls (336) than offensive rebounds (319)...what a disgrace.

jimonthego 05:32:35 PM Mar 24 2008

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This Badger Backer says a 24 game winning streak is good, too bad it won't make it to 25. Besides, I want to see Wisconsin vs Texas so I can see more of the Texas cheerleaders. Can you say NICE CHAPS????

jimonthego 05:30:22 PM Mar 24 2008

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This Badger Backer says 24 is a good number for a consecutive win record. Too bad it won't make it to 25. Besides I want to see Wisconsin vs Texas so I can see more of the Texas cheerleaders. There has got to be better pics of these girls than what AOL has. Chaps anyone???

Usermike7324 03:47:43 PM Mar 24 2008

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Stunned me, too! I would say that it wrecked my brackets, but they had already bled to death by that point.

stanmcwilliams 03:10:45 PM Mar 24 2008

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http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/673913/
senator_obama_you_are_no_longer_electable.html

hirnikel 03:07:55 PM Mar 24 2008

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Daviidson's Curry is a player! GT did all it could to shut him down in the first half of the game but give credit to the coach of Davidson. He had a solid plan to fight back from 17 points down to send GT to the showers. The Raleigh RBC Center made Davidson a hometown team!

drtalldog71 03:05:54 PM Mar 24 2008

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http://r.yuwie.com/drb71

watch this Davidson fans

buggmansurfbch 01:51:24 PM Mar 24 2008

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TARHEELS DID NOT MAKE THE SCHEDULE FOR THE TOURNAMENT, ITS DONE A YEAR AHEAD OF TIME. HOW ABOUT THOSE HEEL FANS GETTING UP AND CHEERING FOR THE WILDCATS? TALK SHIT BUT HEEL FANS PULL FOR ANY IN STATE SCHOOLTHAT DOES'NT HAVE" DUKE YANKEE" ON THEIR ( NEW) JERSEY.

gbrecords7 12:51:47 PM Mar 24 2008

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syca994850,

are u ok

leopold7712 11:55:51 AM Mar 24 2008

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* Oh shoot ! , I was outside with the Family enjoying some sunshine and Quality Time . Lots of great story-telling , and had the grill going , Family - Food - Quality Time , especially Laughter , and letting the younger ones win the board games , Yes , Memories - Oh I LIE alot too ...... I don't have any Family . . . . . I am a Black-Sheep , so neighbor Chico and others who are outcasts played some Billiards , and some card-games, ummm where I Cheat always , yeah , a great Sunday ..... oh wait , we do this everyday ,.......hee hee hhhhheeee heeeeeeeeeeeee ! ! ! ! !

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118 comments