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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – Kelyn Block's reward for leading Indiana
State to another of this year's first-round upsets in the NCAA
Tournament was an emergency trip to the dentist.
|  | | Terrance Avery goes up for two of his 11 points for the Sycamores. |
The junior had three teeth either knocked out or chipped late in
regulation, then found a way to help the 13th-seeded Sycamores beat
No. 4 Oklahoma 70-68 in overtime Friday in the South Regional.
Block scored five of his 17 points in overtime after he dramatically returned from the locker room just before the tipoff of the extra period.
"He's on his way to the oral surgeon," coach Royce Waltman
said. "I had said yesterday about how tough I thought Oklahoma
was. We said our only opportunity to win was to display some
toughness of our own and we did that today."
Indiana State (22-11) became the latest double-digit seed to
advance in this year with their first tournament victory since
Larry Bird led the team to the 1979 championship game.
The Sycamores will face 12th-seeded Gonzaga on Sunday in the
second round. The Bulldogs beat fifth-seeded Virginia 86-85 in the
first round.
Matt Renn had 22 points to lead Indiana State, which overcame a
second-half deficit that at one point matched its seeding. Renn
scored 16 points over the final 14½ minutes of regulation as the
Sycamores rallied from a 47-34 deficit.
"In the first half I thought I got some good looks and didn't
hit them," said Renn, 2-for-9 from the field in the first half and
5-for-16 overall, while going 12-for-17 from the free-throw line.
"In the second half we spread out and I took advantage of it."
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It was shock city for Kelvin Sampson's team as Indiana St. rallied back from
a double-digit deficit.
For those who overstate the importance of momentum,
the Sycamores came into the game 4-6 in their past ten games. But Royce
Waltman's squad came through in overtime. Matt Renn came through when Michael Menser struggled a bit.
Kelley Newton was sensational for the Sooners but it wasn't enough.
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Renn scored with 2:52 left to give Indiana State a 57-56 lead, its first since 16-15, then added two free throws with 2:18 left to make it 59-56.
Oklahoma (26-7) got within 59-57 on a free throw by Nolan
Johnson with 1:23 to play, then came the play that altered Block's
dental status.
Hollis Price of Oklahoma drove the lane and was fouled by Block.
As the two went to the ground, Price struck him in the face with an
inadvertent elbow. While Block was being attended to for the teeth
problem, so was Price, whose right elbow was cut on the play.
"Hollis had his triceps tendon torn," Oklahoma coach Kelvin
Sampson said. "You could see three teeth on the floor. He was
really gouged right down to the triceps muscle. I didn't think
there was any way he could have even stayed on the floor."
Price, an 81-percent free-throw shooter, was replaced at the
line by Tim Heskett, who shoots 85 percent. Heskett missed both
foul shots, but grabbed the rebound.
Johnson tied the score with 34 seconds to play on a drive.
Djibril Kante made two free throws with 28 seconds left, giving the
Sycamores a two-point lead, but Price, who returned with his elbow
heavily taped, scored on a drive with 19 seconds left in
regulation.
Block, cheered by the Indiana State fans as he ran in from the
locker room, gave the Sycamores a quick lead in the overtime with a
steal and layup. Marcus Howard gave them the lead for good at 65-63
on a drive with 3:19 left and Block's drive with 1:44 left made it
68-65.
"That was a huge lift," Indiana State point guard Michael
Menser said of Block's return. "The first play he got the steal
and the layup. You could see with his teeth out he was in a lot of
pain. He's a tough kid."
Johnson, an 83-percent free-throw shooter, made one of two with
5.5 seconds left, bringing the Sooners within 69-68. Block made one
free throw with four seconds left and Oklahoma's final chance ended
when Johnson's driving jumper from the left side went off the rim
at the buzzer.
"I had a real good look," Johnson said. "I thought it was one
of my good shots I normally take. It didn't fall for me."
Kelley Newton matched his career-high with 26 points for
Oklahoma, while Johnson had 15 and Price 11.
"When you get here you better play well," Sampson said. "Indiana State did. We didn't."
Indiana State has won both its NCAA Tournament meetings with
Oklahoma, the first in 1979, when the Sycamores advanced to the
title game behind Larry Bird.
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ALSO SEE
Men's College Basketball Scoreboard
Indiana State Clubhouse
Oklahoma Clubhouse
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Matt Renn says Indiana State wasn't going to give in to Oklahoma.
wav: 78 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Indiana St. coach Royce Waltman talks about advancing in the NCAA Tournament.
wav: 93 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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