DETROIT — Pontiac kicked off its annual Pontiac Game Changing Performance with the announcement of the four nominated plays from the first round of the 2007 NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament.
After each round leading to the Final Four, CBS will nominate four pivotal plays. Alumni, students and fans voting online at ncaasports.com/pontiac will determine which of those four represents the single outstanding example of “Pontiac Game Changing Performance” for that round. Voting for Round 1 runs through 11:59 p.m., March 18 on ncaasports.com/pontiac.
First round nominees include:
Texas 79, New Mexico St. 67
Texas (#4) gets all they can handle from a resilient New Mexico State (#13) team, but the Longhorn’s, lead by an outstanding performance by freshman Kevin Durant, pulls away down the stretch. The Aggies rallied from 12 down to take a 58-57 lead late in the second half, but an inspired Texas countered with a 12-4 run for the win and the right to move on to the second round.
Winthrop 74, Notre Dame 64
Winthrop (#11) withstands a furious late rally from Notre Dame (#4) and holds on for the victory. The Eagles Craig Bradshaw hits a momentum-swinging three-pointer early in the second half to start a 13-2 run, propelling Winthrop to their first-ever NCAA® tournament win.
Virginia Commonwealth 79, Duke 77
With the score tied, VCU (#11) delivers the game winner when Guard Eric Maynor hits a perfect 15-foot jump shot with 1.8 seconds remaining for the shocking upset over Duke (#6). The Rams’ gusty team performance helps put them over the top for their first tournament victory since 1985.
Nevada 77, Creighton 71
Nevada’s Ramon Sessions hits a driving lay up with under a minute to go in the tournament’s first overtime game and seals the victory for the Wolf Pack (#7) over a gritty Creighton (#10) squad. Nevada overcame a tenacious Creighton defense that forced 19 turnovers with balanced scoring and clutch plays to cement their spot in the second round.
Northwestern State, winner of last year’s Pontiac Game Changing Performance of the Tournament is a great example that winning is not based on the size of your school, winning is determined by the fans that stand behind you. Encouraging alumni, students and fans to vote when your team is nominated brings your school one step closer to the $100,000!
On March 28, CBS will announce the four Pontiac Game Changing Performance finalists. And, once again, fans can vote online to determine who will be the overall $100,000 winner. The winning school of the Pontiac Game Changing Performance of the Tournament will be announced on CBS during the Championship Game on Monday, April 2.
“The ‘Pontiac Game Changing Performance’ is the most successful NCAA® scholarship award program of its kind because it’s the only one that truly connects college sports fans with their favorite teams,” said Chris Hornberger, Pontiac Advertising Manager. “College basketball fans are among the most passionate and intense of all sports enthusiasts and Pontiac continues to lead the way in bringing fans closer to their favorite NCAA® sports by giving them a major voice in determining which schools will earn a Game Changing Performance nomination and, the ultimate prize, a $100,000 general scholarship contribution.”
In a new twist for 2007, each round one lucky individual who visits ncaasports.com/pontiac will win a $5,000 scholarship for themselves or their family. In total, Pontiac will be providing close to $200,000 worth of scholarships to NCAA® colleges and universities from both the men’s and women’s NCAA® tournaments and individual scholarships this season.
Following this year’s award presentation Pontiac, the Official Performance Machines of the NCAA®, will have contributed $1 million to NCAA institutions since the program began in 2004.
Full program details can be reviewed by visiting ncaasports.com/pontiac
Pontiac is a division of General Motors Corporation (NYSE: GM) and markets the G6 sedan, coupe and retractable hardtop convertible, Solstice roadster, Torrent SUV, Grand Prix, and Vibe. New for the 2007 model year, Pontiac is introducing the turbocharged Solstice GXP roadster and G5 sports coupe. Pontiac sold more than 410,000 vehicles in 2006, ranking third among GM divisions in total sales. More information on Pontiac and its products can be found on the division’s website at www.pontiac.com
