No. 2 seed Marquette holds off No. 10 Colorado 81-77 in March Madness to reach Sweet 16

Associated Press
Sunday, March 24, 2024 2:55 p.m. | Sunday, March 24, 2024 2:55 p.m.

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Marquette’s Oso Ighodaro (13) looks to pass around Colorado’s Bangot Dak (12)during the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, on Sunday, in Indianapolis.

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Colorado head coach Tad Boyle is seen on the sidelines during the first half of a second-round college basketball game against Marquette in the NCAA Tournament, on Sunday, in Indianapolis.

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Marquette head coach Shaka Smart is seen on the sidelines during the first half of a second-round college basketball game against Colorado in the NCAA Tournament, on Sunday, in Indianapolis.

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Colorado’s Eddie Lampkin Jr. (44) holds the ball as Marquette’s Oso Ighodaro (13) defends during the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, on Sunday, in Indianapolis.

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Marquette’s Tyler Kolek (11) tries to pass over Colorado’s KJ Simpson (2) as Colorado’s Eddie Lampkin Jr. (44) watches during the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, on Sunday, in Indianapolis.

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Marquette’s Tyler Kolek (11) celebrates with teammate Oso Ighodaro (13) during the second half of a second-round college basketball game against Colorado in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

INDIANAPOLIS — Tyler Kolek had 21 points and 11 assists, and David Joplin made two free throws with 7.4 seconds left to help Marquette finally beat Colorado 81-77 on Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

In their third season under coach Shaka Smart, the second-seeded Golden Eagles (27-9) reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2013 by outlasting the 10th-seeded Buffaloes (26-11) and their dynamic offense.

Kam Jones scored 18 points and Joplin finished with 14 for Marquette, which shot 61.8% from the field but still couldn’t shake Colorado until the closing seconds. Chase Ross made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 2:53 left and finished with 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting.

KJ Simpson scored 20 points and Tristan da Silva had 17 for Colorado, which trailed by 11 at halftime but rallied to take a 55-54 lead just over five minutes into the second half. Kolek put the Golden Eagles back on top with a short jumper and Marquette never trailed again, but Colorado tied it twice, the last time on a 3-pointer by da Silva with 4:02 remaining.

The Buffs trailed 79-77 and had to foul three times before putting Joplin on the line for a 1-and-1. He knocked down both and set up a South Region semifinal meeting with No. 11 seed North Carolina State in Dallas on Friday.