NCAA Tourney: Pondexter, Washington Sink Marquette, New Mexico Survives Montana In East Region

San Jose, CA, United States (AHN) – Quincy Pondexter scored 18 points, including a driving bank shot with 1.7 ticks remaining, lifting the No.11 seed Washington Huskies to a thrilling 80-78 win over the No. 6 seed Marquette Golden Eagles Thursday in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament.

Pondexter also grabbed 11 boards, while Isaiah Thomas paced the Huskies (25-9) with 19 points.

It marked the second straight year the Huskies have reached the second round.

Washington, which earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament after capturing the Pac-10 Conference Tournament crown, will test No. 3 seed New Mexico Saturday.

The Golden Eagles (22-12), who were making their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and 28th overall, were paced by Lazar Hayward, who scored 20 points.

It was a tight contest from the start with Marquette leading by just a point at the break, 43-42.

The Golden Eagles started to pull away in the second half, erecting a 15-point lead, but Washington regrouped to tie the score at 78-78.

Both teams shot well, with Washington finishing 54.5 percent (30-of-55) from the floor and Marquette registering a 52.9 shooting clip.

The Huskies go on to face the three-seed New Mexico Lobos, who outlasted a pesky Montana Grizzlies squad 62-57.

Roman Martinez had 19 points, six rebounds and four assists to lead New Mexico (30-4). Dairese Gary scored 15 and Darington Hobson added 11 points, 11 rebounds and six assists despite a sprained left wrist.

The Lobos led by as much as 14, but saw their lead shrink to 57-56 with 1:44 left. New Mexico shot 7-for-10 from the free throw line down the stretch and kept the Grizzlies without a field goal to seal the win.

Brian Qvale was the lone Grizzly in double figures, going 12-for-16 for 26 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

Leading scorer Anthony Johnson struggled mightily, shooting a horrendous 1-for-12 for just six points.

---