Big Time Plays, Last-Second Buckets Headline Round 3 Nominees In Pontiac Game Changing Performance Competition
March 24, 2007
The Pontiac Game Changing Performance competition has reached the halfway point with the announcement of the four nominated plays from Round 3 of the 2007 NCAA(r) 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 3 runs through 11:59 p.m., March 25 on ncaasports.com/pontiac.
Third round nominees include:
Memphis 65, Texas A&M 64
Ignoring his injured ankle, Sophomore Guard Chris Douglas-Roberts led all Memphis scorers in their thrilling one-point win over Texas A&M (#3). The Tigers (#2), who have now won 25 straight games, hit two critical free throws with 3.1 seconds left to seal the victory, earning them a Pontiac Game Changing Performance nomination and a chance to go to the Final Four for the first time since 1985.
Kansas 61, Southern Illinois 58
Kansas (#1) battled it out against a tenacious Southern Illinois (#7) team for a hard-fought victory and trip to the Elite Eight. The Jayhawks, led by Sophomore Guard Brandon Rush’s perfect 6-6 shooting, earned a Pontiac Game Changing Performance nomination when Rush hit a two-point shot with 25 seconds remaining to cement the win.
Georgetown 66, Vanderbilt 65
Down to the wire against a strong Vanderbilt (#7) squad, Hoyas Junior Forward Jeff Green hit an unbelievable, off-balance bank shot with 2.5 seconds left to send Georgetown (#2) to the Elite Eight for the first time in more than a decade. The Hoyas rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit to earn the victory and a memorable Pontiac Game Changing Performance nomination.
North Carolina 74, USC 64
Down by 16 points to USC (#5) early in the second half, North Carolina(#1) Freshman Brandon Wright led an amazing Tar Heels comeback win to earn a Pontiac Game Changing Performance nomination. The Trojans scored the first seven points of the second half and seemed in control, but North Carolina turned the tables, mounting an 18-0 run on their way to victory and a spot in the Elite Eight.
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(r) 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(r) 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(r) colleges and universities from both the men’s and women’s NCAA(r) tournaments and individual scholarships this season.
Following this year’s award presentation Pontiac, the Official Performance Machines of the NCAA(r), will have contributed $1 million toNCAA 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 and in Spanish at www.pontiac.com/espanol.
