Yale Makes History at NCAA Basketball Tournament

Prior to Thursday, no Division I men's college basketball team from the state of Connecticut outside of Storrs had ever won a game in the NCAA tournament.

Yale University put an end to that drought, upsetting Baylor 79-75 in the opening round at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, RI.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy tweeted, "Big win for @Yale_Basketball! Well done. #MarchMadness."

In disposing of the fifth-seeded Bears, No. 12 Yale earned a second-round date with fourth-seeded Duke, winners of five national championships (tied for third all-time).

Yale led 39-34 at halftime, and kept its edge through the game's final, frantic moments.

Trailing 77-75 with 6.8 seconds left, Baylor quickly advanced the ball downcourt, but lost control and committed a foul with 2.2 ticks left. Brandon Sherrod sank a pair of free throws to ice the game for the Elis and cement their spot in the round of 32.

Makai Mason led all scorers with 31 points, Justin Sears had 18 and Sherrod added 10 for Yale.

Taurean Prince led Baylor with 28 points, while Johnathan Motley had 15.

Halfway across the country in Des Moines, Iowa, UConn overcame a slow start and a nine-point halftime deficit to defeat Colorado, 74-67.

Rodney Purvis led the Huskies with 19 points, while Daniel Hamilton had 17 and Sterling Gibbs netted 12.