The game, part of the West Region, was played at the Saint Petersburg Times Forum in Tampa, Fla.

After a 39-27 halftime lead, WKU held off a furious late rally by San Diego. Its 52-37 lead with 15:37 left became a 55-54 deficit with 6:35 left -- but from that point, San Diego was drained.

Tyrone Brazelton scored 15 with five assists and three steals. Lee also had seven rebounds and three steals while Jeremy Evans had seven rebounds and five blocked shots for the 12th-seeded Hilltoppers (29-6) -- who next face the region's No. 1 seed UCLA Thursday in Phoenix in the Sweet 16.

San Diego got 20 points and nine rebounds from Gyno Pomare. Brandon Johnson scored 13 and Rob Jones 11 for the 13th-seeded Toreros (22-14), who upset Connecticut 70-69 in overtime in the first round for their first ever NCAA Tournament win.