(1) Western Kentucky 77, (4) North Texas 70
No. 1 Western Kentucky trailed by three points at halftime but used a big second half to surge past N. 4 North Texas for a 77-70 win. Sophomore swingman Sergio Kerusch finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds, and junior guard A.J. Slaughter added 22 points to lead the Hilltoppers. Western Kentucky’s defense clamped down in the second half, and the Mean Green finished with 38 percent shooting from the field. Western Kentucky will play No. 6 South Alabama in the championship game. The Hilltoppers won both regular-season match ups with the Jaguars.
(6) South Alabama 54, (2) Arkansas-Little Rock 44
No. 6 South Alabama will look to complete an improbable run to its third NCAA Tournament in four years against Western Kentucky after beating No. 2 Arkansas-Little Rock 54-44. South Alabama jumped out to a 20-5 lead against the Trojans, and Arkansas-Little Rock’s abysmal shooting prevented the team from rallying. Senior guard Domonic Tilford and junior guard Bryan Sherrer each scored 17 points to lead the Jaguars, who held the Trojans to a 26 percent shooting from the field.
