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Live tracker: How Utah ties are performing in the NCAA Tournament

· Yahoo Sports

A general view of a basketball on the court during the first half of a First Four college basketball game between Lehigh and Prairie View A&M in the NCAA Tournament in Dayton, Ohio, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. | Jeff Dean

Editor’s note: The Deseret News is updating how Utah ties — both native Utahns and those whose playing careers have included a stop in Utah — are performing in the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament through the first two rounds.

Visit salonsustainability.club for more information.

For BYU and Utah State, who both made the 68-team field, these updates will primarily focus on notable Utah natives with those respective teams.

Check back for more updates throughout the first four days of this year’s tournament.

TCU forward Xavier Edmonds celebrates after scoring against Ohio State during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Greenville, S.C. | Chris Carlson

Former Salt Lake Community College star delivers game-winner in NCAA’s opening game

TCU 66, Ohio State 64

The first game of the NCAA Tournament had plenty of March Madness, and it was a former Salt Lake Community College star that delivered the winning points.

In a tie ball game with the clock winding down, TCU forward Xavier Edmonds (SLCC) took a pass in the paint from teammate David Punch, then patiently found an opening before finishing at the rim for two with 4.3 seconds left to play, giving the Horned Frogs a 66-64 lead.

Following a timeout, Ohio State could only get a half-court heave off and it was no good, allowing TCU to advance.

“I had to get the ball in the basket. Punch made a great pass, put me in the right position to score, and I went up and I scored it,” Edmonds told CBS in a postgame interview.

Edmonds, who spent the past two seasons at SLCC and was ranked the No. 1 JUCO player of the year last season, ended up with 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and a steal in the win.

TCU went into halftime up 39-24 but Ohio State rallied behind John Mobley Jr. (Wasatch Academy) and eventually took a 55-50 lead.

Moments after picking up his fourth foul with 8:02 to play, Edmonds helped TCU retake the lead.

He scored three straight points for the Horned Frogs to cut the deficit to one, and then after a defensive stop, TCU went back ahead 58-57 on a Punch layup.

TCU guard Tanner Toolson (BYU, Utah Valley) had three rebounds, an assist and a steal while missing his only two shot attempts.

Mobley, meanwhile, scored a team-high 15 points for Ohio State in the losing effort. He shot 6 of 17 from the floor and hit three 3-pointers, while adding six assists and three rebounds.

From First Four action

Prairie View A&M 67, Lehigh 55: Forward Cory Wells (Utah Valley) scored 19 points and added 11 rebounds, three steals and three blocks for the Panthers in the win.

Texas 68, NC State 66: Forward Camden Heide (Wasatch Academy) had 3 points, two assists, one rebound and a block for the Longhorns.

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