WEST REGIONAL : BYU Swats Virginia Out of Tournament, 61-48

At 7-foot-6, Shawn Bradley poses a fundamental problem for most teams. He doesn’t have to jump to block shots.

Bradley, a freshman, rarely left his feet Thursday night, but still set an NCAA tournament record with 10 blocked shots as Brigham Young overcame a sloppy first half to beat Virginia, 61-48, in the first round of the West Regional.

BYU (21-12) plays Arizona Saturday in a second-round game.

Playing in his first tournament game, Bradley broke the record of nine blocks set by Navy’s David Robinson.

Virginia (21-12) stuck to its game plan and challenged the gangly Bradley, but the strategy backfired.

Bradley forced Virginia players to alter numerous shots as the Cavaliers shot a season-low 28%.

The Cavaliers made only one of 15 three-point attempts and were held to a season-low in points.

“I know that most teams that we play try to psychologically act like he’s not there and take it to him,” BYU Coach Roger Reid said. “But he’s there. He’s 7-6 and he doesn’t go away.”

Bradley, who scored eight points and had five rebounds, also started a decisive 15-4 run with a basket and finished it with two free throws to erase a 29-26 Virginia lead and put BYU ahead, 41-33, with 7:30 left.

No. 8 Arizona 93, St. Francis 80--Matt Othick scored a career-high 25 points to lead the Wildcats.

Othick made five three-point shots as Arizona (27-6) used long-range shooting to take an early lead.

Arizona then dominated play inside in the second half to advance to the second round for the fourth consecutive year.

St. Francis, in the NCAA tournament for the first time, finished 24-8.

Creighton 64, No. 15 New Mexico State 56--Creighton advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1974 with the victory over the Aggies (23-6), who shot 31% for the game and only 21% in the first half. Creighton (24-7) plays Seton Hall in Saturday’s second round.