Ryan Langborg has a knack for this.
He was one of the key factors in 15th-seeded Princeton’s Elite Eight run last year and the Ivy League transfer ensured No. 9 Northwestern wouldn’t be one-and-done in the NCAA Tournament on Friday.
Kicking off the quadruple header in Brooklyn, the 6-foot-4 guard dominated the extra session after the Wildcats forced overtime with nine seconds remaining on a layup by Brooks Barnhizer.
Langborg scored 10 points over the final minutes, helping the Wildcats knock off No. 8 Florida Atlantic, 77-65.
The Owls, the Cinderella story of last year’s tournament, are going home early. Most experts felt they were over-seeded after failing to win the AAC Tournament.
Langborg had 48 points in the last two games of Princeton’s tournament run last year and scored a season-high 27 points on Friday, keying the dramatic victory.
He added four rebounds and three assists and shot 11-of-19 from the field.
Northwestern point guard Boo Buie followed with 22 points and four assists.
Northwestern was in control for almost the entirety of the second half, before a 13-2 FAU run in the final minutes.
Barnhizer’s layup with nine seconds left tied the game at 58-all and set up overtime after Johnell Davis’ 3-pointer was blocked at the horn.
The Wildcats will most likely meet overall No. 1 seed Connecticut in the second round Sunday.