Cinderella’s carriage turned back into a pumpkin for NC State as the Oakland Golden Grizzlies pulled off a thrilling overtime upset in the second round of the NCAA tournament on Saturday. Despite a valiant effort from NC State’s DJ Burns, who notched a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds, Oakland’s dynamic duo of Trey Townsend and Jack Gohlke proved too much to handle.
Townsend, a junior guard, exploded for a game-high 30 points, while Gohlke, a senior forward, added a massive 22 points of his own. The Golden Grizzlies never trailed in regulation, but NC State clawed their way back late to force overtime. However, Oakland held their nerve in the extra period to secure a historic victory for the program.
This win marks a significant upset for Oakland, a mid-major conference team, who have now knocked off a higher-seeded opponent in the NCAA tournament. NC State, on the other hand, will be left to rue their missed opportunities, their dreams of a deep tournament run dashed by a determined Oakland squad.