Whew.
A thrilling ending and - finally - a close call went Miami’s way, and the result was a 68-66 nail-biting win for the Canes over USC in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Charlie Moore’s two free throws with 3 seconds remaining proved to be the difference. Moore was fouled on the arm on the way to the basket with the game squared at 66 after USC’s Drew Peterson tied the game on a layup with 14 seconds to go.
Peterson - who scored USC’s final 8 points in the game’s last minute - got off a half-court heave at the buzzer that hit the backboard, rattled off the rim, and fell harmlessly to the court.