Big mistake from Vanderbilt helps Northwestern win first-ever tourney game

Published Mar. 17, 2017 7:29 a.m. ET

Aaron Torres

Northwestern played in their first NCAA tournament in school history on Thursday afternoon, but how they notched their first-ever NCAA tournament win is all that anyone will remember.

After trailing for virtually the entire game, the Commodores rallied to take the lead 66-65 with just 15 seconds to play on a Riley LaChance layup. But as Northwestern in-bounded the ball, Vanderbilt's Matthew Fisher-Davis made an inexplicable gaffe and fouled Bryant McIntosh, because he thought the Commodores were down at that point -- but they were actually ahead.

https://twitter.com/CBSSports/status/842504894548385792

The foul sent McIntosh to the line where he hit both foul shots and Northwestern regained the lead at 67-66. On the ensuing possession, LaChance missed a three, the Wildcats got the ball back and were fouled with 1.4 seconds left. A free throw by Sanjay Lumpkin sealed the victory.

To his credit, afterward Fisher-Davis owned up to the mistake.

"I just didn't know the score to be honest," he told reporters. "I saw Coach Drew point at my man for my matchup and I got confused and fouled. That's it."

While Vanderbilt goes home, Northwestern now moves on to face No. 1 seed Gonzaga on Saturday.