ATLANTA — With Loyola-Chicago clinging to a one-point lead and only 6.3 seconds remaining, Marques Townes sank a 3-pointer from in front of the Ramblers’ bench to continue their improbable NCAA Tournament run.

Townes scored 18 points, including the key 3-pointer, to lead Loyola to a 69-68 win over the Wolf Pack in Thursday night’s NCAA South Regional semifinal.

“I think Marcus Townes is the best player on the court tonight,” said Loyola guard Clayton Custer. “I don’t even think it was close, either. I am so happy for him. He is such a good basketball player and such a good person, I am just so happy he dominated the game tonight and he led us.

“This is unbelievable. Feels like a dream.”

The win leaves the No. 11th-seeded Ramblers one victory from a Final Four appearance.

Not bad for a program that hadn’t been in the Sweet 16 in 33 years.

Townes charged down the court, pumping his fist, as Nevada called a timeout following the crucial 3-pointer. Caleb Martin answered with a 3 for Nevada, but this time the Wolf Pack couldn’t extend their string of second-half comebacks in the tournament.

Michigan 99, Texas A&M 72

This one was easy.

After reaching the NCAA Tournament’s round of 16 with an improbable buzzer-beater, Michigan shot 62 percent from the floor and routed Texas A&M 99-72 in the West Region semifinals on Thursday night to reach the Elite Eight for the third time in six years.

The Wolverines (31-7) dominated from start to finish, hitting 14 3-pointers — 10 in the first half — and extending their winning streak to 12 games.

Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman scored 24 points, Moe Wagner added 21 points and Charles Matthews had 18 points as third-seeded Michigan had five players in double figures.

The Wolverines were good in the first half and even better in the second. The rout was on by halftime with Michigan leading 52-28 after shooting 57 percent from the floor. In the second half, the Wolverines improved to 68 percent from the floor.

The Aggies (22-13) never made a run, going long stretches without a basket in the first half while Michigan was scoring on nearly every trip down the floor.

Tyler Davis led the seventh-seeded Aggies with 24 points.

Kansas State 61, Kentucky 58

Despite 22 points from Xavier Sneed, Kentucky became the latest upset victim in the tournament.

Kentucky, the No. 5 seed in the South Region trailed at the half and led briefly late in the second half before falling.

PJ Washington led Kansas State with 18 points and 15 rebounds.

Florida State 75, Gonzaga 60

Terance Mann scored 18 points and Rui Hachimura added 16 as the Seminoles coasted past the Bulldogs to advance to the Elite 8 as a No. 9 seed.