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Stokes leads Tennessee on late rally to 78-65 OT win over Iowa in NCAA First Four

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Tennessee guard Derek Reese (23) passes against Iowa in the first half of a first-round game of the NCAA college basketball tournament on Wednesday, March 19, 2014, in Dayton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Al Behrman) (The Associated Press)

Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery calls a play in the first half of a first-round game against Tennessee at the NCAA college basketball tournament on Wednesday, March 19, 2014, in Dayton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Al Behrman) (The Associated Press)

Jarnell Stokes dominated inside as Tennessee finally caught up in the closing minutes of regulation, and then opened overtime with a three-point play that got the Volunteers headed to a 78-65 victory over Iowa on Wednesday night in the NCAA's First Four.

The Volunteers' late comeback sent them Raleigh, N.C., where they'll play sixth-seeded Massachusetts on Friday in the Midwest Regional.

Tennessee (22-12) didn't lead until Antonio Barton's 3-pointer put the Vols up 59-57 with 3:05 left regulation. There were five lead changes before the Vols' Jordan McRae missed a jumper missed at the buzzer, leaving it tied at 64.

Stokes' three-point play was the key moment in his 18-point, 13-rebound performance. Iowa (21-13) managed only one free throw in overtime, ending a hectic and stressful day for coach Fran McCaffery.

McCaffery started the day in Iowa with his teenage son Patrick, who had surgery to remove a thyroid tumor.