No. 1 seed Virginia outlasts No. 12 Oregon 53-49 in NCAAs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Ty Jerome scored 13 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 3 minutes, 34 seconds remaining, and No. 1 seed Virginia reached its second regional final in four years with a 53-49 victory over No. 12 Oregon on Thursday night in the NCAA Tournament.

The Cavaliers (32-3) shot 36 percent and matched a season low in scoring, but they got baskets when needed to outlast the Ducks (25-13). Jerome’s 3 was the biggest as he took Kehei Clark’s pass and converted from deep to make it 48-45.

Virginia clamped down from there, holding Oregon scoreless for more than 5 minutes after the Ducks went ahead 45-42 on Louis King’s 3 with 5:43 left.

Clark tied it with a 3 with 5:21 left and De’Andre Hunter got free for a layup for 24 seconds left for a five-point edge that was enough to stop Oregon’s 10-game winning streak.

Clark finished with 12 points, six assists and four rebounds. Mamadi Diakite grabbed 11 rebounds as Virginia edged Oregon 34-31 on the glass.

King’s 16 points led Oregon, which shot 38 percent. The Ducks had hoped to reach their third Elite Eight in four years.