March 16, 2006

Final Stats

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Outplayed on almost every level, this should have been it for Indiana coach Mike Davis.

The Hoosiers didn't want to let it end so soon, though, and when Robert Vaden hit a 3-pointer with 3.3 seconds left Thursday night, Indiana was on its way to victory, 87-83 over San Diego State in the NCAA tournament.

And Davis got to stick around for one more game.

It was a sloppy, thrilling, gut-wrenching game for Indiana's soon-to-be-former coach, but if it's his last win with the sixth-seeded Hoosiers (19-11), it surely will be a memorable one.

They won despite letting 11th-seeded San Diego State (24-9) shoot 56 percent and despite getting outhustled, outsmarted and outplayed by the Aztecs for 39 minutes-plus.

The Hoosiers hung with it, erasing deficits of 10 points early in the second half and five points later. Trailing by one with 40 seconds left, Indiana's Marshall Strickland poked the ball away from Brandon Heath near the halfcourt line.

The ball nicked Heath on the thigh and thinking he couldn't touch it lest he be called for a backcourt violation, the San Diego State guard tried to shield Strickland from the ball. They both dove after it for a jump ball and Indiana got possession.

After a timeout, the Hoosiers worked it to Vaden. Hobbling with a hurting left ankle, he spotted up a step behind the line and swished the 3, giving Indiana an 85-83 lead, its first of the half.

San Diego State's desperation possession came up empty and Roderick Wilmont hit two free throws for the final margin.