Four Finalists Announced in “Pontiac Game Changing Performance” Competition – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/28/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 28, 2007
It’s down to the Final Four! The fans have voted and the finalists have been selected in the “Pontiac Game Changing Performance” competition of the 2007 NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Throughout this year’s Tournament, college hoops fans have been voting for the “Pontiac Game Changing Performance” after each round. Four schools have already won a $5,000 scholarship contribution from Pontiac, and now it’s up to you to help decide which of these schools will win $100,000.
From Round 1: Virginia Commonwealth University
With the score tied, VCU (#11) delivered the game winner when Eric Maynor hit a 15-foot jump shot with 1.8 seconds remaining for the shocking upset over Duke (#6). The Rams’ gusty team performance helped put them over the top for their first NCAA® tournament victory since 1985.
From Round 2: Ohio State University
Ohio State (#1) rallied from an 11-point deficit in the second half and senior Ron Lewis hit a long 3-pointer with just two seconds left to send the game into overtime. In overtime, the Buckeyes recorded a stirring victory over Xavier (#9) and a Pontiac Game Changing Performance nomination. The win put the OSU in the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 1999.
From Round 3: Georgetown
It went down to the wire against a strong Vanderbilt (#7) squad, but 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.
From Round 4: Ohio State University
Ohio State (#1) stormed into the Final Four for the first time since 1999 with an impressive win over a dangerous Memphis (#2) squad. The Buckeye’s earned their second Pontiac Game Changing Performance nomination of the tournament on an outstanding all-around effort by hitting a combined 20 straight free throws in the second half to seal the win. Fans can vote online now through 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, March 31 on ncaasports.com/pontiac 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 win the Pontiac Game Changing Performance of the Tournament and the ultimate prize, a $100,000 general scholarship contribution.”
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.
