Close calls and clutch shots from NCAAs

Midwestern upset

Mike Manciel scored a season-high 29 points as 11th-seeded Central Michigan beat sixth-seeded Creighton 79-73 in the West Regional for a mild upset. The Chippewas (25-6) allowed a 26-point lead to dwindle to two before hanging on for the victory. It marks the fourth time in five years that a Mid-American Conference team has reached the second round of the tournament. Last year, No. 10 seed Kent State made it within one win of the Final Four, losing in the quarterfinals to Indiana.

Heartbroken again

For the third straight year, Holy Cross almost pulled off an upset. But Travis Diener scored a career-high 29 points as No. 3 seed Marquette beat the 14th-seeded Crusaders 72-68 in the Midwest Regional. Holy Cross lost to Kentucky by four points in 2001 and to Kansas by 11 last year in a game that was closer than the final score indicated.

Huggins heaved

Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins was ejected with about 16 minutes left in the Bearcats' loss to Gonzaga -- along with team radio announcer Chuck Machock -- for arguing a traveling call on Jason Maxiell. Huggins jumped in the air, landed with a two-footed stomp and quickly drew a technical. He continued to complain and a minute later was called for a second technical by official Mike Kitts. Huggins had a massive heart attack in September and said at the time there wouldn't be any change in his trademark sideline intensity. After the game, Huggins wouldn't talk about the ejection. "I don't know that this is more disappointing than any other year. It's hard when you lose," he said.

Jolly good show

Richard Midgley's friends made fun of him when he chose to play hoops over soccer. Look who's laughing now. The freshman, who grew up in Burgess Hill, England, made a 3-pointer with 3.9 seconds left in overtime to give California a 76-74 win over North Carolina State in the East Regional. Twice in the final minute of regulation, Midgley had potential game-winning layups blocked. He finished with 11 points. Midgley moved to California in 1999 and played two seasons at Modesto (Calif.) Christian High. "Guys used to pick on me (in England) because I played basketball, not soccer," Midgley said. "But I picked the right sport, I guess."

America's team

Gonzaga is back to its ol' tricks at the NCAA tournament, as the ninth-seeded Bulldogs beat No. 8 seed Cincinnati 74-69. Gonzaga -- which made runs from low seedings to the round of eight in 1999 and round of 16 the next two years -- has only one first-round loss in the past five tournaments. That came last year, when the Bulldogs were seeded sixth and got bounced by No. 11 Wyoming.

Looking ahead

GAMES TO WATCH: Defending national champion Maryland plays a dangerous North Carolina-Wilmington team Friday in the first round of the South Regional. The 11th-seeded Seahawks, led by star guard Brett Blizzard, upset Southern California last year before losing a tough game to NCAA runner-up Indiana.

Also, top-ranked Kentucky takes on IUPUI in in the Midwest Regional. Jaguars coach Ron Hunter has his team watching "Hoosiers" and reading the story of David and Goliath for inspiration.<