Virginia leaned on Kyle Guy’s three free throws with 0.6 seconds left to escape with a 63-62 victory over Auburn Saturday and advance to the NCAA Division I National Championship Game in Minneapolis.
Guy made all three foul shots after being fouled by Auburn’s Samir Doughty, sending the Cavaliers to their national title game for the first time in school history.
Kyle Guy of the Virginia Cavaliers celebrates with teammates after defeating the Auburn Tigers 63-62 during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinals yesterday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (AFP)
“These are moments that every basketball player has dreamed of, hitting the game-winning shot or free throws or whatever,” Guy said. “Kind of had that feeling in your stomach, like a good nervousness, like, all right, this is my chance. To be able to go to the national championship off of that for these guys and (head coach Tony) Bennett, I mean, I really don’t have the words.”
Auburn had rallied from a 10-point deficit to lead 62-60 with seven seconds left before Guy was fouled in the final second.
The controversial call by official James Breeding raised a howl from Auburn supporters who also noted a no-call before the foul was called.
It appeared officials missed a double dribble by Jerome, which happened a few seconds before Guy was fouled. If that turnover had been called, Auburn, instead of Virginia, would have had the ball late.
The Cavaliers will face the Texas Tech Red Raiders, who frustrated the Michigan State Spartans on their way to a 61-51 victory in the other Final Four game.
Matt Mooney nailed three triples in a span of three minutes, giving the Red Raiders a 13-point lead en route to dvancing to their first national title game.
Virginia and Texas Tech clash on Monday (Tuesday Manila time) at the cavernous US Bank Stadium.