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Columbia Missourian

Hayward helps Marquette top Utah State

By The Associated Press
March 20, 2009 | 1:53 p.m. CDT

The sixth-seeded Golden Eagles blew a 14-point lead and had to rally from six points down to advance to face the winner of the Missouri-Cornell game.

Marquette guard Wesley Matthews, right, goes up against the reach of Utah State forward Gary Wilkinson, left, during the first half of their game in Boise, Idaho.   ¦  Matt Cilley/The Associated Press

BOISE, Idaho — Lazar Hayward scored 26 points and the Golden Eagles made 10 straight free throws down the stretch to hold off Utah State 58-57 Friday in the first round of the West Regional.

Marquette blew a 14-point lead, then rallied from a six-point deficit to win.

Jerel McNeal and Wesley Matthews each scored 14 points for sixth-seeded Marquette (25-9).

Jared Quayle led Utah State (30-5) with 18 points. The 11th-seeded Aggies recovered from a dismal first half by shooting 12-for-20 to start the second half, but couldn't hang on and lost their fourth straight first-round game.