Ryan Langborg has a knack for this.
He was one of the key factors in 15th-seeded Princeton’s Sweet 16 run last year and the Ivy League transfer ensured No. 9 Northwestern wouldn’t be one-and-done in the NCAA Tournament on Friday.
Kicking off the quadruple header in Brooklyn, the 6-foot-4 guard dominated the extra session after the Wildcats forced overtime with nine seconds remaining on a layup by Brooks Barnhizer.
Ryan Langborg (R) celebrates a basket with teammate Brooks Barnhizer during Northwestern’s 77-65
OT win over Florida Atlantic. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POSTLangborg scored 10 points over the final five minutes, helping the Wildcats knock off No. 8 Florida Atlantic, 77-65.
They will meet overall No. 1 Connecticut on Sunday in an East Region second-round game.
“Man, he was balling today,” teammate Boo Buie said.
Owls center Vladislav Goldin reacts during his teams overtime game agains the Northwestern Wildcats. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POSTThe Owls, the Cinderella story of last year’s tournament, are going home early.
Most experts felt they were over-seeded after failing to win the AAC Tournament.
The loss could mark the end of an era for the Florida school.
Program architect and coach Dusty May is a hot name to land the job at either Michigan or Louisville.
“One day at a time,” May said, when asked about his future. “We signed a very good high school class at FAU, and all of those decisions are for a later date.
Langborg had 48 points in the last two games of Princeton’s tournament run last year and scored a season-high 27 points on Friday, keying the dramatic victory.
He added four rebounds and three assists and shot 11-of-19 from the field.
Wildcats guard Brooks Barnhizer hugs teammate Ryan Langborg (L) while Florida Atlantic Owls forward Brenen Lorient walks off the court. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POSTBuie followed with 22 points and four assists.
“I feel like for all three of us up here, we are just having fun,” Langborg said, referring to Buie and Barnhizer. “I usually don’t celebrate a lot when I make shots, but I know I had my tongue out and things like that.”
Northwestern (22-11) was in control for almost the entirety of the second half, before a 13-2 FAU (25-9) run in the final minutes that was fueled by a questionable flagrant foul.
The Wildcats, however, didn’t lose their poise.
Brooks Barnhizer looks to shoot over defending Florida Atlantic center Vladislav Goldin during the first half. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POSTBarnhizer’s layup with nine seconds left tied the game at 58-all and set up overtime after Johnell Davis’ 3-pointer was blocked at the horn.
“We just got together at the end,” Northwestern coach Chris Collins said. “We played so many overtime games in our league, guys that follow us know.
“And we just said when we got to overtime, we are going to find a way because that’s what we’ve done all year.”
