It took 10 extra minutes of basketball, but the Creighton Blue Jays finally knocked off the Oregon Ducks in a fantastic game.

In regulation, it looked like the Ducks were going to pull off the upset and join NC State as 11 seeds coming out of Pittsburgh. With about 1 1/2 minutes left, N’Faly Dante had a huge dunk to give the Ducks a 4 point lead. The score would stay that way until about 30 seconds left when Baylor Scheierman was fouled and hit both free throws to cut the lead to two.

Forced to foul, Creighton got a break that the only person that could get open was Dante, the Ducks’ worst free throw shooter. And he missed the front end of the one-and-one, giving Creighton the ball and a chance. Baylor Scheierman drove to the lane, and hit a fadeaway jumper to tie the game. Oregon would get one more chance, but Jermaine Couisnard’s shot from the corner hit the front of the rim.

In overtime, the tables were turned. This time, it would be Creighton’s big man Ryan Kalkbrenner who had the dunk to take the lead, and after a turnover, Trey Alexander hit a jumper to make it a 3 point lead. But this time, with 18 seconds left, Couisnard hit a three pointer with a defender right in his face to tie the game at 71. Alexander drove down the lane, got the ball poked away from him, but ended up with a clean look along the baseline, but he missed and the game went to double overtime.

And that was when Creighton really took over. Steven Ashworth drilled a three pointer to kick off the scoring. Kalkbrenner hit a 3 pointer. Jasen Green made a thunderous dunk off a rebound of Alexander’s miss. Ashworth and Alexander hit two free throws after getting fouled. And Alexander hit a three-pointer with 45 seconds left to end the 15-0 run and any doubt of who would be advancing. Congratulations to Creighton on their huge victory to return to the Sweet 16.

While we are at it, we should congratulate our leaders. After Saturday night’s games, the leaders at 390 points are Kennedy Urban and my son, Charlie Hodgson. Chris Franklin, both of Debbe Evans picks,, Carrie Viera, Adam Levine, Stacie Gilmore, Earl McKnight, Michael Swinson, Taylor Early, Ann Schumaker are just 10 points back in a tie for 3rd at 380 points.

Chris Franklin is leading the Upset Pool with 183 points – followed closely by Tyler Crabbe (178), Tom Forrest (177), Gus Woodburn (174) and Michael Swinson (174).

At one point after the Iowa State win, the Lunatic found himself in a tie for the lead. But to his chagrin, that was short-lived.

Well, it has been a very long day – I will have to hold off my handicapping of the Sunday games until tomorrow morning. I can hardly stay awake to type this post. I guess if I fall behind, I will pick Marquette over Colorado – but hopefully, I will get that done in the morning. Good luck to all your picks.