It was a spirited effort by Oral Roberts University, but in the end, the Golden Eagles fell just short of becoming the first 15 seed to make the Elite Eight as they lost to No. 3 seed Arkansas Razorbacks.
While the Razorbacks were the favorite to advance, it wasn’t easy for them. They were behind for most of the game and at one point were down by as high as 12 points. Even after they came back and took the lead, they had to survive one final scare as a buzzer beater shot by Max Abmas hit the rim.
WHAT A GAME 😱@RazorbackMBB is back in the #Elite8 for the first time since 1995! #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/PPDBjN28k3
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2021
Like their first two games, Oral Roberts wasn’t playing like a 15 seed. They held strong against No. 2 Ohio State and No.7 Florida, putting up an offensive showcase to win by three in each game. And throughout the middle of the game, Oral Roberts was strong. With about four and a half minutes left in the first half, Oral Roberts began a run that lasted until about four and a half minutes into the second half. During that stretch, the Golden Eagles went on a 21-10 run that put them up 12.
At that point, Arkansas came back and eventually tied things up with seven minutes left. Arkansas would take the lead with five minutes left and then both teams would trade buckets to keep things close. Arkansas’ go-ahead jumper by Davonte Davis with 2.9 seconds left put the Razorbacks up for good and they will advance to the Elite Eight.
ARKANSAS FOR THE LEAD! 😱@RazorbackMBB #MarchMadness #Sweet16 pic.twitter.com/MZvExSyfAs
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2021
In some ways, Arkansas was fortunate to advance as their three point shooting was dreadful. Arkansas would go just 11 percent (1 for 9) from three and that was what kept Oral Roberts in. Unfortunately for Oral Roberts, they weren’t as great from three as their first two games and only going 25 percent (8 for 31). That was Arkansas’ lifeline to survive and advance.
Now, Arkansas heads to play Baylor for a shot at the Final Four. While the South Regional had fun with two big upsets, it’s the No. 1 seed Bears against the No. 3 Razorbacks.
