BATON ROUGE — Darrel Mitchell’s game-winning three-pointer on Saturday that sent LSU to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 was one of four plays nomintated for The Pontiac Game Changing Performance competition during the second round of the tournament.
After each round leading to the Final Four, CBS will nominate four game-changing plays. Fans voting online will determine which of those four represents the single outstanding example of “Pontiac Game Changing Performance” for that round. Voting for Round 2 runs through 11:59 p.m., March 21 on www.NCAAsports.com/Pontiac.
On March 29, www.NCAAsports.com/Pontiac will reveal the four Pontiac Game Changing Performance finalists, each of which will receive a $5,000 donation to the selected school’s general scholarship fund. Fans will then vote for the overall winner, which will be announced during the CBS broadcast of the Championship Game on Monday, April 3, and will receive a $100,000 scholarship donation.
Following this year’s award presentation Pontiac, a leading sponsor of NCAA sporting events and collegiate athletics, will have contributed nearly $650,000 to NCAA institutions since the program began in 2004.
Full program details can be reviewed by visiting www.NCAASports.com/Pontiac.
Second round nominees include:
LSU 58, Texas A&M 57
LSU’s late come-from-behind-victory over the upset-minded Texas A&M Aggies secured the Tigers their nomination for the “Pontiac Game Changing Performance”. With the clock winding down, LSU’s Darrel Mitchell hit an amazing three point shot with 3.9 seconds left for the one point victory over Texas A&M.
Wichita State 80, Tennessee 73
In a performance worthy of their nickname, the 7th-seeded Wichita State Shockers pulled off the upset over the 2nd-seeded Tennessee Volunteers. The Shockers earned their “Pontiac Game Changing Performance” nomination when P.J. Couisnard made a 3-pointer with one minute left in the game to seal the victory for Wichita State. This victory earned the Shockers their first trip to the Sweet Sixteen in 25 years.
Bradley 72, Pittsburgh 66
The 13th seeded Bradley Braves are on their way to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 51 years thanks to a second-round victory over 5th-seeded Pittsburgh, The Braves received their “Pontiac Game Changing Performance” nomination when they regained the lead in the second half by going on a 13-2 run against the Panthers and never looked back.
George Mason 65, North Carolina 60
Eleventh Seeded George Mason’s improbable victory over North Carolina made the Patriots the first Colonial Athletic team to make the “Sweet Sixteen” since 1988. The Patriots produced their “Pontiac Game Changing Performance” nomination when they were trailing 16-2 and Tony Skinn “banked” in a three pointer to start their rally. George Mason overcame this 14 point deficit thanks to a stifling defense and great shooting in the second half.