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VIDEO: UC Irvine forces overtime with their version of ‘Pacer’

In the 1998 NCAA tournament Valparaiso used a play named “Pacer” by then-head coach Homer Drew to get the team’s star guard, Bryce Drew, a look at a game-winning three pointer against Ole Miss. Of course the play worked, etching the Drew family into NCAA tournament lore and starting the Crusaders’ run to the Sweet 16.

In running a play similar to “Pacer” it certainly helps to have a player with height capable of not only catching the first pass but advancing the ball after doing so. In the case of UC Irvine Wednesday night, they were able to call upon 7-foot-6 center Mamadou Ndiaye in the final seconds of regulation against Cal Poly.

Dominique Dunning threw the pass to Ndiaye, who was surrounded by two Cal Poly defenders. Ndiaye didn’t panic after making the catch, calmly finding an open Jaron Martin on the opposite wing. Martin hit the three-pointer, forcing overtime in a game the Anteaters would go on to win 78-72. Ndiaye finished the game with 21 points, eight blocks and four rebounds, with guard Luke Nelson also scoring 21 for Russell Turner’s team.

Ndiaye also had one assist, and it was the play that ensured that UC Irvine would have a chance to remain atop the Big West standings.

Video credit: Big West Conference