March 19, 2007
NEW YORK – The Pontiac Game Changing Performance competition continues to heat up with the announcement of the four nominated plays from Round 2 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 2 runs through 11:59 p.m., March 20 on ncaasports.com/pontiac.
Second round nominees include:
Vanderbilt 78, Washington St. 74
Vanderbilt (#6) rallied together to pull off the upset of Washington St. (#3) and earned a Pontiac Game Changing Performance Nomination. The Commodores were led by the outstanding performance of Senior Derrick Byars who hit four 3-pointers in the second half and made a critical block to send the game into double overtime. As a team, Vanderbilt hit eight 3-pointers in the second half and used stifling defense to earn the victory and a trip to the Sweet Sixteen.
Ohio State 78, Xavier 71
Ohio State (#1) rallied from an 11-point deficit in the second half and Senior Guard Ron Lewis hit a long 3-pointer with just two seconds left to send the game into overtime where they recorded a stirring victory over Xavier (#9) and a Pontiac Game Changing Performance nomination. The Buckeyes are off to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 1999.
UNLV 64, Wisconsin 68
The Runnin’ Rebels (#7) pulled off a stunning upset win over Wisconsin (#2) with a total team effort and some timely shooting by Senior Guard Kevin Kruger who broke out of a 1-15 slump in the Tournament to hit three straight 3-pointers in the second half to seal the victory. UNLV earned a Pontiac Game Changing Performance nomination when Senior Guard Wendell White hit a tough 11-foot turnaround jump shot late in the first half.
Pittsburgh 84, Virginia Commonwealth 79
Pittsburgh (#3) dominated in the first half and then held off a furious rally by a gritty VCU (#11) with clutch shooting, critical rebounding and great team play for a thrilling overtime win and a spot in the Sweet Sixteen. The Panthers notched a Pontiac Game Changing Performance nomination when Freshman Sam Young came of the bench to score 15-points to lead all Pittsburgh scorers.
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 www.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 www.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.