Quentin Snider scored 16 points, including two go-ahead free throws with less than 10 seconds to play, to help the fourth-seeded Louisville Cardinals win 57-55 over upset-minded UC Irvine.
Luke Nelson's long 3-pointer with 12 seconds left missed for UC Irvine, and Snider chased down the loose ball in the corner and took a foul. After he hit both free throws, Louisville's tough defense forced Alex Young to commit a game-ending turnover.
Wayne Blackshear led the Cardinals (25-8) with 19 points and seven rebounds and Terry Rozier added 12 points. Louisville will now play fifth-seeded Northern Iowa on Sunday.
The 13th-seeded Anteaters (21-13) were making their first-ever tournament appearance in 38 seasons as a Division I program. Will Davis II paced them with 14 points and nine boards, 7-foot-6 center Mamadou Ndiaye added 12 points and Nelson scored 10.
[SportsNetwork.com]
