Tennessee avoids big meltdown, beats Iowa to reach Sweet 16

The Associated Press DUNK: Tennessee's Grant Williams (2) dunks in the second half during a second round men's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament against Iowa, Sunday, in Columbus, Ohio.
The Associated Press DUNK: Tennessee's Grant Williams (2) dunks in the second half during a second round men's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament against Iowa, Sunday, in Columbus, Ohio.

Two-time SEC player of the year Grant Williams scored six points in overtime and Tennessee held off Iowa 83-77 on Sunday to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time in three years.

Williams had a pair of free throws, two jumpers, and a strip in overtime that helped the Vols (31-5) pull it out and match their school record for wins in a season. He finished with 19 points and seven rebounds. Admiral Schofield scored 17 of his 19 in the Vols' blistering first half.

Tenth-seeded Iowa (23-12) fell behind by 25 points and nearly pulled off a monumental upset, sending it to overtime tied at 71, the first overtime game in this year's tournament.

Jordan Bohannon scored 18 for Iowa, which never led but managed to tie it twice after falling so far behind.

NORTH CAROLINA 81, WASHINGTON 59

Luke Maye and Nassir Little each scored 20 points and top-seeded North Carolina breezed past Washington.

The Tar Heels (29-6) never trailed and moved on to face fifth-seeded Auburn on Friday in a Midwest Regional semifinal.

Maye added 14 rebounds for North Carolina, a No. 1 seed for a record 17th time.

The Tar Heels committed 10 turnovers in the first half, and led by eight points at the break. But they bolted out in the second half, put together a 13-0 run over 5 minutes and pulled away.

Pac-12 player of the year Jaylen Nowell paced Washington (28-8) with 12 points.

Sports on 03/25/2019

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