Nevada Erases 22-Point Deficit to Stun Cincinnati and Advance to Sweet 16

No. 7 seed Nevada completed one of the most improbable comebacks in NCAA tournament history on Sunday, roaring back from a 22-point second-half deficit to upset the No. 2-seeded Cincinnati Bearcats 75-73 and advance to the Sweet 16.

Backup guard Josh Hall scored the game-winning bucket with 9.1 seconds left in the game, per CBS Sports:

Nevada Basketball's reaction pretty much sums it up:

The Boston Globe's Bob Ryan felt the win was one for the ages:

ESPN's Darren Rovell noted just how unlikely the comeback was:

The South region has been upset central for the 2018 NCAA tournament, with the top four seeds all going down in the first two rounds. According to NCAA tournament media coordinator David Worlock, this is unprecedented: 

The Bearcats led by double digits for most of the game, but their intensity and shooting collapsed late, allowing Nevada to complete their incredible come-from-behind victory. Nevada had been ice cold from beyond the arc for much of the game, making just two of its first 14 three-point attempts, but it caught fire down the stretch to hit four of its last six from beyond the arc. 

This three-pointer from Caleb Martin tied the game at 73 with 57 seconds left in the game, per NCAA March Madness: 

Cody Martin led all scorers with 25 points and added seven assists, while his brother Caleb finished with 10 points. ESPN's Mike Schmitz complimented both of the Martin twins: 

The Bearcats were led by Jacob Evans (19 points) and Jarron Cumberland (17 points) on offense, while Gary Clark and Kyle Washington were menaces on the boards and both posted double-doubles. 

Cincinnati raced out to a 10-0 lead within the first two minutes of the game and maintained a double-digit lead for most of the first half. Evans and Cumberland were dominant, combining to score 28 points in the first 20 minutes as the Bearcats built up a 44-32 advantage. 

This early dunk from Washington showed just how physically overpowering the Bearcats were on offense:

Evans was particularly impressive, getting into the lane for easy buckets and drawing fouls for easy points at the free-throw line. ESPN 1530's James Rapien felt Evans was at his most effective: 

Cincinnati started the second half strong, contesting every Nevada shot and dominating the glass. The Bearcats built a 65-43 advantage with 11:34 left in the game and looked like they had the game just about wrapped up. 

But Nevada wasn't done, as it came to life and ripped off a 16-0 run spearheaded by the Martin twins to turn it into a two-possession game. NCAA March Madness captured the end of the surge that brought them back into the game: 

Cincinnati went ice cold down the stretch and failed to make a field goal over the final six minutes of the game. Nevada turned up the pressure on defense, guarding Cincinnati over the entire court and setting up traps.

Cincinnati's offense became even more disjointed when Cumberland fouled out with just over four minutes left in the game. Cumberland had picked up his fourth foul with 5:25 left in the game, but Bearcats coach Mick Cronin opted not to save him for the final minutes of the contest.

CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli noted Cronin might have been upset with himself for the gamble:

The Wolf Pack got the clutch shots they needed at the end of the game, completing an upset for the ages.

Nevada will go on to play the No. 11 seed Loyola-Chicago in the Sweet 16 on Thursday. The Ramblers have become a tournament darling after upsetting Miami and Tennessee, but the Wolf Pack will have captured plenty of fans with their thrilling tournament performances as well.