GREENSBORO, N.C. — Oscar Tshiebwe hauled in a incredible 25 rebounds and Antonio Reeves scored 22 points to help lead the Kentucky Wildcats to a 61-53 win over the Providence Friars in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday.
Tshiebwe's rebounding performance was the most in any tournament game since 1977. As a result, the two-time Associated Press All-American's effort helped Kentucky avoid a one-and-done like last year's showing.
Kentucky finished with a 48-31 rebounding advantage, especially controlling the offensive glass thanks to Tshiebwe's 11 boards — a big factor in the sixth-seeded Wildcats (22-11) staying in control as both offenses struggled to find the bottom of the net after halftime.
Reeves hit five 3-pointers to lead the Wildcat offense and Jacob Toppin had a big game with 18 points.
One of the oddest moments of the game came at the foul line.
With 8:36 left before halftime, Providence's Clifton Moore attempted a free throw that hit the rim on the left side and rolled all the way around the inside of the rim before popping out and sitting on the back of the goal.
And stayed right there.
The 6-foot-9 Toppin stood next to an official under the net looking up at the ball, his hands on his hips, before jumping to tap it loose.
The attempt was counted as a miss and Moore made his second shot.
Tshiebwe managed eight points, but in the end it was his performance on the glass that held the 11th-seeded Friars (21-12) from having a chance at an upset.
Some Tshiebwe's biggest plays came in the late stages of the game.
With Kentucky leading 50-46, he leapt to slam home Wallace's missed drive. Then minutes later, he came up with a steal and then an offensive rebound off his own miss before feeding Chris Livingston on the other side of the paint for the layup and a 54-46 lead with 2:43 left.
Ed Croswell lead Providence with 16 points, but the Friars shot just 36.2% and finshed 5 of 24 from behind the arc.
The Wildcats now move move on to face third-seeded Kansas State on Sunday in the East Region.
Comments