SACRAMENTO - With just over 46 seconds left in Saturday night's game in Arco Arena, junior Kyle Hornsby made a layup and drew a foul, giving the Hoosiers a seven-point lead on UNC-Wilmington. This was after IU had burned two timeouts trying to get the ball past half-court against the Seahawks' trapping press.
As Hornsby pumped his fist, IU coach Mike Davis slid down into his courtside chair, legs and arms extended, palms open to the sky and a big smile on his face, as if to say, finally.
Finally, the Hoosiers had been able to finish out a close game after going 1-5 in games decided by three points or less so far this season. Finally sophomore Jared Jeffries is back to All-American form.
And finally, the No. 5 Hoosiers are going back to the Sweet Sixteen after an eight-year absence after they put away a feisty No. 13 UNC-W team, 76-67.
With the win, IU advances to play No. 1 Duke Thursday night at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky. in one of the South Regional semifinals. The other game will pit No. 10 Kent State against the winner of California and Pittsburgh.