OKLAHOMA CITY, Ok. (ABC 4 News) - After blowing a 13-point second half lead, the Brigham Young University men's basketball team defeated Florida 99-92 in double overtime to open the NCAA men's basketball tournament.
It was the first NCAA Tournament victory for the Cougars in 15 years. The Cougars had failed to advance in the tournament 7 times since 1993.
Jimmer Fredette scored 37 points and Michael Lloyd Jr. added a career-high 26 points to lead the Cougars.
Fredette scored two 3-pointers during the final 3 minutes of the second overtime to extend the Cougars' lead and put the Gators away for good.
BYU led the Gators by 13 points with less than 8 minutes to go in regulation, but Florida stormed back to take the lead with 2:36 to play.
Florida took an early lead in the first overtime, but Lloyd Jr. kept the Cougars in the game, scoring all 6 of the team's points.
That left Fredette to lead BYU and dominate the second OT.
Kenny Boynton led the Gators with 27 points, and led the second half surge that helped Florida overcome the Cougars' 13-point lead.
BYU now advances to play the winner of the Kansas State-North Texas Game on Saturday.
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