Grand Canyon gets first March Madness win, is eighth double-digit seed to reach second round
The first round of the 2024 men's NCAA Tournament ended with a bang, as No. 12 seed Grand Canyon upset No. 5 Saint Mary's 75-66 to become the eighth double-digit seed to advance to the second round of March Madness.
The Antelopes had a one-point lead at halftime, but they really stretched it out in the second half, which included an 17-1 run that made it a 17-point game with 12 minutes to go. Saint Mary's was able to cut it to a five-point game with six minutes to go, but Grand Canyon was able to hold on for the win.
It was a monumental win for the Antelopes as it was the first Division I tournament win in school history.
NCAA Tournament double-digit seed wins
Eight double-digit seeds will be playing in the second round this weekend after the first two days saw seven "upsets" in total. The NCAA defines an upset in March Madness as beating any team whose seed is at least five spots lower. So, a true first-round upset can only come at the hands of any team seeded No. 11 or higher. There were seven upsets in this year's first round, an uptick from last year's four. Here are the double-digit seeds that won in the first round:
No. 11 NC State defeats No. 6 Texas Tech
No. 12 Grand Canyon defeats No. 5 Saint Mary's
Grand Canyon NCAA Tournament history
This is the second straight NCAA Tournament appearance for Grand Canyon and third in the past four years. But Friday's victory marked the first March Madness win in school history.
The Antelopes, who moved up to Division I in 2013, have had postseason success before. It won the NAIA national championship in 1975, 1978 and 1988.
Who will Grand Canyon face next in NCAA Tournament?
Grand Canyon will play No. 4 seed Alabama on Sunday. The game will be played at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Spokane, Washington.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NCAA Tournament upsets continue as Grand Canyon defeats Saint Mary's
