PHILADELPHIA – Tyrone Garland and Ramon Galloway hopped on the scorer’s table, stretched their arms in celebration, and took in the mayhem. Out on the court, their La Salle teammates were lost somewhere in a swarm of gold-shirted students.
The Explorers had knocked off mighty Butler and a decade of mediocre basketball was forgotten in a flash.
Out of timeouts, Galloway sprinted the length of the court for the winning basket with 2.7 seconds left to send La Salle to a 54-53 victory over No. 9 Butler on Wednesday night.
Fans stormed the court for the biggest win for La Salle (13-5, 3-2 Atlantic 10) in 33 years. There was some confusion after Galloway’s basket and fans were ordered off the court. Butler had attempted a last-second heave that was way off the mark. Officials huddled with both coaches and they decided the final score stood. It was mayhem again as fans rushed the court for the second time in minutes.
La Salle hadn’t defeated a top 10 team since 1980.
“It’s the greatest feeling ever,” Galloway said. “It’s one of the greatest wins ever in my life. I know it is for my teammates, too.”
No. 25 MIAMI 90, No. 1 DUKE 63: In Coral Gables, Fla., the Blue Devils went more than 8 minutes without a field goal in the first half, and a sellout became a blowout for the Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes (14-3, 5-0 ACC) beat a No. 1 team for the first time, taking control with a stunning 25-1 run midway through the first half. The Blue Devils (16-2, 3-2) missed 13 consecutive shots despite numerous good looks, while four Hurricanes hit three-pointers during the stunning run that transformed a 14-13 deficit into a 38-15 lead.
No. 8 FLORIDA 64, GEORGIA 47: In Athens, Ga., the Gators (15-2, 5-0 SEC) shook off a sluggish first half and romped past another league opponent behind 17 points from Scottie Wilbekin.
No. 15 NEW MEXICO 66, COLORADO ST. 61: In Albuquerque, N.M., Tony Snell scored 23 points and the Lobos (17-2, 4-0 Mountain West) held off a late rally.
DRAKE 74, No. 17 CREIGHTON 69: In Des Moines, Iowa, Richard Carter scored 20 points as the Bulldogs handed the Bluejays their first consecutive losses of the season.
No. 20 WICHITA ST. 62, MISSOURI ST. 52: In Springfield, Mo., Cleanthony Early scored 17 points, Carl Hall added 15 as the Shockers (18-2, 7-1 Missouri Valley) rallied.
BUFFALO 66, BALL STATE 63: In Muncie, Javon McCrea scored 24 points and Will Regan’s three-pointer with 12 seconds left provided the game-winning points in the Bulls’ victory.
INDIANA TECH 61, MICHIGAN-DEARBORN 53: In Dearborn, Mich., Melvin Brooks had 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Warriors (16-6).
Women
No. 1 BAYLOR 66, No. 24 IOWA STATE 51: In Ames, Iowa, Brittney Griner scored 22 points and blocked six shots to lead the Bears.
No. 2 NOTRE DAME 73, PITTSBURGH 47: In Pittsburgh, Kayla McBride scored 19 points to help the Irish to their 12th straight victory.
Jewell Loyd added 14 points while Skylar Diggins had 13, all in the first half.
KANSAS STATE 76, No. 12 OKLAHOMA STATE 70, OT: In Manhattan, Kan., Brittany Chambers scored 26 points, and the Wildcats rode its three-point shooting to an overtime upset.
SAINT FRANCIS 66, SPRING ARBOR 46: Kayla Drake had 17 points for the Cougars (21-2) at Spring Arbor, Mich.. Brooke Ridley added 16 points. Spring Arbor (8-15) was led by Jenna Jamieson’s 14 points.
INDIANA TECH 81, MICHIGAN-DEARBORN 78: Rachael Kruse’s 21 points led the Warriors (10-12) at Dearborn (6-14), which got 37 points from Chelsea Davis.
