No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson shocks Purdue in NCAA Tournament

Fairleigh Dickinson grew to become the second No. 16 seed in historical past to win an NCAA Match sport, gorgeous top-seeded Purdue 63-58 behind 19 factors from Sean Moore and a relentless, hustling protection on Friday night time.

The shortest crew within the tourney, the Knights (21-15) confirmed no worry in swarming 7-foot-4 All-America middle Zach Edey from the beginning. FDU’s gamers have been faster and extra composed than the Large Ten champion Boilermakers (29-6).

5 years in the past, UMBC confirmed the way in which for the little guys by overwhelming Virginia within the first 16-over-1 victory after quite a few shut calls through the years. Nonetheless, No. 16s had a 1-150 report earlier than FDU’s shocker.

Fairleigh Dickinson did not even win the Northeast Convention Match, falling by one level within the title sport to Merrimack, which could not take part within the NCAA Match due to an NCAA rule that bars it from the postseason as a result of it is nonetheless finishing its four-year transition from Division II.

“The extra I watch Purdue, the extra I believe we will beat them,” Fairleigh Dickinson head coach Tobin Anderson instructed his crew on Wednesday night time after defeating Texas Southern 84-61 within the First 4 to earn the matchup with Purdue.

FDU held Purdue scoreless for greater than 5 1/2 minutes down the stretch and moved forward by 5 on a 3-pointer by Moore with 1:03 left. The Knights held on from there, changing into the second straight double-digit seed to ship the Boilermakers dwelling. Purdue was a 3 seed when it misplaced to fifteen seed Saint Peter’s within the Candy 16 final 12 months.