DAYTON, Ohio — Diminutive point guard Junior Robinson fearlessly dribbled into the heart of New Orleans’ defense, pulled up and hit yet another of his oh-so-soft jumpers. This one decided a frenetic opening game for the NCAA Tournament. ADVERTISING DAYTON,
DAYTON, Ohio — Diminutive point guard Junior Robinson fearlessly dribbled into the heart of New Orleans’ defense, pulled up and hit yet another of his oh-so-soft jumpers. This one decided a frenetic opening game for the NCAA Tournament.
The smallest player in Division I scored 23 points Tuesday night, including that go-ahead jumper with 1:27 to play, and Mount St. Mary’s held on for a 67-66 victory over New Orleans in the First Four.
Robinson carried the Mountaineers (20-15) to only their second NCAA Tournament win, making jumpers with so much arc they appeared to tease the ceiling.
“The way he plays out there — his speed, his athleticism — it’s just so special,” coach Jamion Christian said. “When you’re a smaller guy, you’re naturally going to have a chip on your shoulder and you want to go out there and show the world the things you can do.”
The Mountaineers will head to Buffalo to play defending national champion and top overall seed Villanova in the East Regional on Thursday. They had a charter flight waiting after the game.
“It’s a dream come true,” guard Elijah Long said. “But this is March Madness, and this is part of the madness.”
