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Jesperson’s halfcourt shot puts Northern Iowa past Texas

Sports

March 19th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Paul Jesperson banked in a halfcourt shot at the buzzer to give 11th seeded Northern Iowa a 75-72 win over Number 6 seed Texas Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament’s West Region. Northern Iowa passed the ball in under its basket after Isaiah Taylor tied the game on a layup with 2.7 seconds to play. Jesperson caught the ball, took a few dribbles and heaved.

Wes Washpun scored 17 points, Jeremy Morgan scored 16 and Jesperson added 14 for the Panthers (23-12), who claimed their fifth NCAA Tournament win in school history. Taylor scored 22 points, Eric Davis Junior scored 13 and Javan Felix added 12 for the Longhorns (20-13).

Jesperson’s shot came in the same building where Golden State’s Stephen Curry hit a dramatic game-winner against the Oklahoma City Thunder last month.