First shocker of the NCAA tourney!
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Should we get nervous about our brackets already?
The first upset of the NCAA Tournament came early in the First Round when University Alabama - Birmingham beat Iowa State 60-59, advancing to the Second Round for the first time since 2005.
In the South Region game, the No. 3 seeded, Big 12 champion Cyclones trailed the No. 14 seeded Blazers for the last few minutes of the second half, despite an impressive 6-0 run at its start. Clutch plays from UAB guards Tyler Madison and Robert Brown put their team ahead.
Within the last six minutes it became a shootout with a clutch three-pointer from Iowa State guard Naz Long tieing the game 49-49.
The tide permanently shifted to UAB's advantage, though when Brown hit a three-pointer of his own, creating a momentum the Blazers held for the rest of the game.
Iowa State made one last strong effort with just seconds to go when Long missed a three-point jump shot, but guard Monte Morris hit a tip-in.
Still it wasn't enough time as the clock ran out before the Cyclones could get the ball again.
Iowa State fans are likely left puzzled by the loss because the program is heralded as one of the betteroffenses in college basketball this year, but failed to score 60 points in the game, according to CBSSports.com.
UAB won with three-pointers all through the game, led primarily by Brown, who had 22 points and five rebounds in their last game before the tournament with Middle Tennessee.
The UAB win follows the predicted victory of Notre Dame over Northeastern, 69-65. Meanwhile, another upset took place when Georgia State topped Baylor 57-56.
In other upset news, UCLA managed to hold off Southern Methodist University on a late and controversial goaltending call, 60-59.
The Bruins came back from a seven-point gap, with guard Bryce Alford hitting a major three-point shot to pull them within winning range.
SMU turned the ball over with 22 seconds left in the game and Alford shot a three-point attempt that seemed to be short of the rim, but referees called a goaltend on Mustangs center Yanick Moreira and counted the shot.
Alford hit nine three-pointers in the game to set a UCLA record. They go on to the Second Round to face UAB.