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Steph Curry not around, but Davidson’s back in NCAA tourney

bob-mckillop

Mike Miller

Good thing Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors played at 4 ET on Monday. That meant Davidson’s most famous recent player could watch (and bite his fingernails) as the Wildcats clinched a return to the NCAA tournament in the Monday’s most dramatic game.

A 93-91 double-overtime win against Western Carolina gave Davidson the Southern Conference tournament title and the automatic bid to the Big Dance, its first since 2008 – and probably a few ulcers for coach Bob McKillop.

The Wildcats (26-7) led by 13 points with 2:47 left in regulation when Western Carolina began an amazing comeback replete with clutch shots and some mental errors by the Wildcats. Trey Sumler hit two 3-pointers, James Sinclair hit another and the Catamounts also hit eight free throws in that span from various Davidson fouls.

Western Carolina had a chance to win it too, but Keaton Cole missed a 3 at the end of regulation.

Neither team managed to assume a big lead in the extra periods, but Davidson emerged thanks to some timely rebounds and one last defensive stand.

Now, Davidson’s back in a place where the last time casual fans saw it just miss a chance to stun Kansas in the Elite Eight for a spot in the Final Four. The odds aren’t great that the Wildcats will make another magical run this season, but it should be noted they have beat at least one Top 5 team this season.

Kansas.

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