Saint Louis Billikens senior Rob Loe puts a shot up against NC State. (Photo/SLU Athletics)
Rob Loe scored 22 points and added a game- and career-high 15 rebounds, to lead No. 5 seed Saint Louis to an 83-80 overtime victory over No. 12 seed North Carolina State in the second round Midwest Region game of the NCAA Tournament Thursday night at the Amway Center.
SLU trailed 55-39 after the ACC player of the year, N.C. State’s T.J. Warren, turned an offensive rebound into a layup with 8:13 remaining. He led the Wolfpack with 28 points.
Jett scored nine points and Dwayne Evans added five in a 16-6 run that made it a 61-55 game, with 2:16 to play. N.C. State (22-14) got lead to eight points twice.
N.C. State, which attempted a season-high 37 free throws (20-of-37), left the door open by missing two of four from the line in the final 45 seconds. Meanwhile, Loe’s driving layup drew the Bills to within a point, 69-68, and Jett’s drive tied it at 70 with 18.8 left.
Jett was fouled, but his free throw for the lead rimmed out. Tyler Lewis’ attempt at a game-winner was just off the mark, sending the game into overtime.
Loe broke a tie in OT when drove the baseline for a dunk that put the Billikens in front for good.
The Billikens (27-6) advance to play either No. 4 seed Louisville, the defending national champion, who just got past No. 13 seed Manhattan. SLU and L’ville play Saturday in a third-round game. Tip time and TV information are yet to be determined.
