NCAA Tournament Scores: Oakland Upset Bid Falls Short Vs. Texas

NCAA Tournament Score Goes Final, As Oakland Falls to Texas

The Oakland Golden Grizzlies gave it a shot, but in the end, they just didn't have enough to beat the Texas Longhorns. J'Covan Brown scored 21 points and 7 rebounds, and the Longhorns escaped with an 85-81 win over the Golden Grizzlies. 

For much of the game, though, Texas looked to be the much better team, jumping out to a 10-point lead in the first half behind a stellar effort from J'Covan Brown off the bench. Meanwhile, the Golden Grizzlies had to look to players besides stars Keith Benson and Reggie Hamilton, who struggled from the field for much of the first half. 

Despite that, the Grizzlies managed to keep the deficit to single-digits at halftime, trailing 40-32. 

But, for much of the second half, Texas had command of the game, holding Oakland's attack at bay thanks to numerous turnovers and poor shot selection from the Golden Grizzlies, extending their lead to 66-51 midway through the second half. 

Oakland wasn't done yet, though, as Reggie Hamilton would find his stroke down the stretch, carrying the Grizzlies to within five points in the final two minutes, and keeping his team in the game. 

In the end, though, the deficit proved too much to overcome, as Texas hit their free throws down the stretch to seal the deal. 

Hamilton finished with 25 points, while Benson added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Grizzlies. 

Texas got those 21 points from Brown, but it was forwards Jordan Hamilton and Tristan Thompson who proved to be the difference. Hamilton scored 19 points and 11, while Thompson added 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Longhorns. 

Texas will take on the winner of the Arizona-Memphis game later this afternoon. 

For more March Madness, check out Bleacher Report's March Madness Headquarters. 

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