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NCAA Tournament Bracket
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 12 seed Belmont University women's basketball defeated fifth-seeded Oregon, 73-70, Saturday in the 2022 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship first round from Thompson-Boling Arena.
It marks the second consecutive year Belmont has advanced to the Round of 32 as a No. 12 seed, after defeating Gonzaga in 2021.
Tuti Jones led three Bruins in double figures with 22 points, six rebounds and four steals.
After Jones gave Belmont a 53-50 lead with 15 seconds remaining in regulation, Oregon freed Te-Hina Paopao in the far corner for a 3-pointer with eight seconds left.
The Bruins were unable to score on their final possession and the game went to overtime.
Nyara Sabally gave Oregon a 59-53 lead 90 seconds into the first overtime before Nikki Baird sank a clutch 3-pointer for Belmont.
A Destinee Wells jumpshot and a Conley Chinn 3-pointer tied the score at 63 with 46 seconds left in the first overtime.
After one Sedona Prince free throw put Oregon back on top, Baird was fouled on a drive with 11 seconds left.
She tied the game at 64.
Belmont forced a Sabally missed shot with three seconds left and secured the rebound.
The Bruins freed Bartley for a potential game-winning shot but Oregon's defense recovered well and blocked her shot to force double overtime.
Two more Jones baskets tied the score at 68 with 2:25 left in double overtime.
Sabally would score inside before Wells found Chinn for an darting basket to tie the score at 70.
Following a defensive stop, Wells made two free throws with 1:02 left to give Belmont a 72-20 lead.
More strong Belmont defense forced missed shots from Maddie Scheer and Endyia Rogers to secure possession with six seconds remaining.
The Bruins advanced the ball and freed Wells, who made one free throw with four seconds left to increase the margin to three points.
Oregon had one final chance, but an off-balance 3-pointer from Sedona Prince missed.
In a game featuring 10 ties and seven lead changes, Belmont forced 17 turnovers.
Wells had 16 points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals.
Chinn scored 10.
Sabally led Oregon (20-12) with 31 points.
Belmont ends an Oregon streak of four consecutive Sweet 16 appearances.
It marked the first double overtime game in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament since 2013.
Up Next
Belmont (23-7) faces fourth-seeded and 18th-ranked Tennessee Monday at 6 p.m. CT/7 p.m. ET in the NCAA Tournament Second Round. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
Follow Belmont women's basketball on social media - @BelmontWBB on Twitter, @belmontwbb on Instagram and Belmont Women's Basketball on Facebook - for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
About Belmont University
Located near the heart of thriving Nashville, Tennessee, Belmont University consists of nearly 8,800 students who come from every state and 33 countries. The University is nationally recognized for its innovative approach as well as its commitment to undergraduate teaching (U.S. News & World Report). As a Christ-centered, student-focused community, Belmont's mission is to develop diverse leaders of purpose, character and wisdom who possess a transformational mindset and are eager and equipped to make the world a better place. With more than 115 areas of undergraduate study, 41 master's programs and five doctoral degrees, Belmont University aims to be the leading Christ-centered university in the world, producing leaders who will radically champion the pursuit of life abundant for all people. For more information, visit www.Belmont.edu.
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