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Nevada needed to be perfect in OT to defeat Texas ... and it delivered

Frederick Breedon / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Nevada needed an extraordinary comeback to reach overtime and send Texas packing in their Round of 64 matchup, and boy, what a performance it was.

The Wolfpack trailed for most of Friday's contest, but they managed to keep the game close throughout. That effort was capped off with a gutsy decision by Jordan Caroline in the dying seconds, when he went at Texas star Mo Bamba under the basket - even after being blocked on his first attempt - which resulted in Bamba fouling out and the game-tying free throw.

Nevada kept up the pressure in overtime, and eventually took a lead that it wouldn't relinquish:

The teams traded buckets from there, but the Wolfpack had the last laugh and took home the program's first NCAA tournament victory since 2007.

Overtime victories are always a thrilling accomplishment, but Nevada's win on Friday deserves some extra attention. The volume of scoring from both sides was historic, as the teams combined for 34 points in the extra frame, the third most in NCAA tournament history, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

And Nevada needed to be almost perfect in extra time to suffocate Texas' persistent attack, and it was. The Wolfpack converted all six of their shots in overtime, three of which came from long range.

Nevada will need more efficiency in its next game, when it takes on Cincinnati in Sunday's Round of 32 matchup.

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