NW State's last second trey stuns Iowa
Wallace sinks game-winner from corner with half-second remaining
SportsTicker
Updated: 2:59 p.m. ET March 17, 2006AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Jermaine Wallace has made his mark in NCAA Tournament lore.
Wallace nailed a 3-pointer from the left corner with half a second left to lift 14th-seeded Northwestern State to a stunning 64-63 upset of No. 3 Iowa in the Atlanta Region.
The Hawkeyes (25-9) appeared on their way to an easy win after opening a 54-37 lead on a pair of free throws by Erek Hansen with 8:29 remaining, but the Demons (26-7) stormed back behind Clifton Lee, who hit several clutch shots down the stretch.
Iowa, the Big Ten Conference Tournament champion, was clinging to a 62-61 lead when forward Greg Brunner was fouled with 14.6 seconds left. But he only could split two free throws, leading to a frantic finish.
Kerwin Forges missed a shot from the right arc but Wallace grabbed the rebound, then connected over Adam Haluska in the left corner.
After a long inbounds pass, Haluska missed a desperation 3-pointer from the right side.
Northwestern State, the Southland Conference champion, next will face either sixth-seeded West Virginia or 11th-seeded Southern Illinois in the second round Sunday.