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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, March 18, 2010

NCAA hoops: Murray State stuns 4th seed Vanderbilt in opener


By JANIE McCAULEY
AP Sports Writer

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Danero Thomas hit a 15-footer as the buzzer sounded and 13th-seeded Murray State stunned No. 4 seed Vanderbilt 66-65 on Thursday in an NCAA tournament opener in the West Regional.

Perhaps President Barack Obama was onto something picking these revved-up Racers to get past the first round. It was the school’s first victory in the NCAA tournament in 24 years.
For the second time in as many NCAA appearances, Vanderbilt bowed out early as the higher seed. The Commodores were also a first-round upset victim by Siena in 2008 when seeded fourth.
Jermaine Beal made two free throws with 12.7 seconds left to give Vandy the lead. B.J. Jenkins missed a rushed 3-pointer on the other end, but the ball went out of bounds off a Vanderbilt player with 4.2 seconds left, giving Murray State the final shot.