COL BKB: N.C. A&T 73, Liberty 72

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DAYTON, Ohio, March 19 (UPI) -- Austin Witter made a stop on John Caleb Sanders in the closing seconds Tuesday, preserving North Carolina A&T's 73-72 win over Liberty in the NCAA tourney.

With the Aggies (20-16) clinging to a one-point margin, Sanders drove the baseline as time wound down in a bid for a game-winning lay-in, but Witter forced him to put up a bad shot, sealing the win in the opening game of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

Jeremy Underwood went 6-of-6 from the field en route to 19 points and Bruce Beckford connected on 8-of-10 shots for 16 as the Aggies racked up their fifth straight victory.

Davon Marshall made six 3-pointers while posting 22 points for the Flames (15-21).

Sanders finished with 21 points and nine assists.