BROOKLYN, W.Va. — Thomas Walkup wagged his tongue at teammates on the Stephen F. Austin bench. His 3-point dagger off an isolation play crowned the No. 14 seed’s romp over third-seeded West Virginia.
Walkup piled up 33 points, including 25 in the second half when he came within three points of outscoring the Mountaineers by himself.
“I think that people realize we’re the real deal,” said the senior, whose production included nine rebounds and four assists.
The beard Walkup has been growing since Nov. 1 makes him a dead-ringer for the Lumberjacks mascot, and he certainly grew into a larger iconic figure during Friday night’s 70-56 postseason stunner.