On the last play of the game, when Texas' P.J. Tucker missed a chance to tie it, Pierce stepped on another player's foot and hurt his left ankle. He was on the floor in pain while his teammates celebrated, then they ran to him and helped him to the locker room.

He left the Lahaina Civic Center on crutches and was taken for X-rays.

"He made big play after big play in the second half," Iowa coach Steve Alford said. "But he's on crutches right now and we don't have a long turnaround."

Iowa (3-0) will face No. 11 North Carolina, which beat Tennessee later last night, in the championship game today.

It was Iowa's second straight win over a ranked team after a 76-71 victory over No. 12 Louisville in the opening round.

"These two games have been against two talented teams and we played with poise in both," said Alford, who celebrated his 40th birthday. "We've played ahead and behind and these kids know what needs to take place."

With the Hawkeyes trailing by two in the final minute, Pierce stood with the ball in front of the Iowa bench, but no Texas defender came out toward him. He waited as his teammates tried to get free, then let fly with a long jumper that gave the Hawkeyes a 79-78 lead.

"That was a long, deep 3 and he made the shot," Texas coach Rick Barnes said. "But they gave us opportunities to get back in it."

Pierce had 18 points and seven assists.

Jeff Horner, who led Iowa with 27 points, made two free throws with 21 seconds left, but Tucker scored with 8 seconds remaining to bring the Longhorns (2-1) to 81-80.