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Butler County's great daily newspaper

Stunned!

16-seed UMBC tops No. 1 Virginia

CHARLOTTE, N.C. —Good dog! Very good dog!

The UMBC Retrievers pulled off the previously impossible Friday night, making NCAA Tournament history in Charlotte by upsetting Virginia, 74-54, before an absolutely shocked crowd at the Spectrum Center.

Before the late game in Charlotte, No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament were 135-0 against No. 16 seeds. Make that 135-1, as the Retrievers stunned the tournament’s No. 1 overall seed with an underdog performance for the ages.

UMBC — which stands for University of Maryland, Baltimore County — wasn’t even supposed to make the NCAA tournament. It needed a last-second shot to get to Charlotte, beating favored Vermont.

UMBC also lost 83-39 to Albany earlier this season. It lost to Colgate. It lost to Army.

But the Retrievers did something they will never forget Friday night, breaking open a 21-21 halftime tie with an incredible burst to start the second half. Virginia had never allowed 70 points all season - until now.

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