NCAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT : Hawkins Hits 44, but Bradley Comes Up Empty : Southeast Regional

It was Hersey Hawkins time. Hawkins, the nation’s leading scorer, has made a career of winning games for Bradley in the final seconds, but this time he never got a chance.

Hawkins already had 44 points, but Terrance Howard stole a pass intended for Hawkins and made a dunk at the buzzer to give Auburn a 90-86 upset of the No. 11-ranked Braves Thursday in the NCAA Southeast Regional at Atlanta.

Auburn Coach Sonny Smith alternated Derrick Dennison and Keenan Carpenter on Hawkins throughout the game, making him work for his points and shots.

But Smith benched Dennison for taking a poor shot while Auburn (19-10) was trying to milk the clock and tipped off Howard on to the decisive play.

“We knew they were gonna go to Hawkins, that was obvious,” Smith said. “In fact, we drew up the play they were gonna run. Crow (Howard) stole the basketball because he knew where it was going.”

Hawkins had 25 points on 13 shots in the first half as Bradley (26-5) built a 53-45 lead, but the Braves led by 14 points at one stage.

The Tigers slowed the pace in the second half and rallied behind Chris Morris, who scored 36 points.

In addition to his 44 points, Hawkins had 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocked shots.

Oklahoma 94, Tenn. Chattanooga 66--Stacey King and Harvey Grant each scored 25 points as the fourth-ranked Sooners pulled away in the final 13 minutes.

The Moccasins (20-13) were within 45-44 with just over 13 minutes remaining, but Grant scored six points and King had five during a 17-2 burst over a three-minute span that allowed Oklahoma (31-3) to break away.

Benny Green scored 18 points for Chattanooga.

BYU 98, N. Carolina Charlotte 92--Michael Smith scored 29 points, including 8 in overtime, to lead the Cougars past the 49ers.

N.C. Charlotte 49ers (22-9) sent the game into overtime when guard Jeff West connected on a three-point shot with four seconds left for an 82-82 tie.

BYU (26-5) ran off eight straight points to start the overtime and then Smith, who also had 12 rebounds, scored six of the last eight points for the Cougars.

Byron Dinkins had 21 points for the 49ers.

Louisville 70, Oregon State 61--The Cardinals powered the ball inside to Pervis Ellison, who scored 23 points, and Herbert Crook, who added 22, to down the Beavers.

The Cardinals (23-10) broke away from a 28-28 tie at halftime by going to their big men. Ellison had 18 points and Crook scored 14 in the second half.

Earl Martin scored 20 points for Oregon State (20-11).