Cedic Coward scores 24 points, including key late free throws, as Grizzlies defeat Bulls 125-124

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Cedric Coward scored 24 points, including a pair of free throws with 6.5 seconds left, and had nine rebounds and the Memphis Grizzlies outlasted the Chicago Bulls 125-124 on Saturday night.

After Coward's free throws, Josh Giddey made two foul shots with 4 seconds left to pull Chicago within one point. The Bulls had a chance to win after the Grizzlies turned over the ensuing inbound pass, but couldn't get a shot off in time.

Tyler Burton finished with 18 points and Jahmai Mashack added 17 as Memphis snapped a five-game losing streak.

Matas Buzelis led Chicago with 29 points and Collin Sexton had 26 in a reserve role. Giddey had 18 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his 13th triple-double of the season for the Bulls, who have lost three straight.

The game was close throughout with neither team building a comfortable advantage. There seemed to be little flow and a lack of offense contributed to 1-on-1 play. Memphis stretched its advantage to 98-88 entering the fourth.

Both teams were playing the second night of back-to-back sets after each losing Friday — the Bulls at Oklahoma City and the Grizzlies at home to Houston. Neither team is making plans to play beyond the end of the regular season, instead waiting to see where they fall in the draft lottery.

Compounding the situation, both teams sat significant players for the game. Chicago had nine players on the injury list, while Memphis was without 11 players.

Both teams struggled from outside the arc through much of the first half. Four minutes before halftime, the teams were a combined 5 of 28 from 3-point range.

Bulls: At San Antonio on Monday night.

Grizzlies: Host Phoenix on Monday night.

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Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Rayan Rupert (32) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Chicago Bulls guard Collin Sexton (2) shoots between Memphis Grizzlies guards Walter Clayton Jr. (4) and Jahmai Mashack, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson II (45) grabs a rebound in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Chicago Bulls guard Collin Sexton (2) drives against Memphis Grizzlies guard Jahmai Mashack, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) handles the ball against Chicago Bulls forward Isaac Okoro (35) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

HOUSTON (AP) — A buzzer malfunction caused a delay — a very loud, very unpleasant delay — of about 10 minutes in the first half of the NCAA Tournament's South Region final between Iowa and Illinois on Saturday night.

When the buzzer sounded out of a media timeout with 7:43 left in the first half, it kept blaring uninterrupted for about seven minutes. Players stood on the court ready to play for a couple of minutes before both teams started to warm up as the horn continued to sound.

It was finally silenced, to cheers from the crowd, but then the main scoreboard and video screen that hangs over the middle of the court went dark.

The game ultimately resumed with the big scoreboard still off. Two smaller scoreboards at each end of the arena were working.

Illinois won 71-59 to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2005.

“Nothing I can control. ... Just move on, move forward,” Iowa coach Ben McCollum said of the buzzer issue. “It didn’t probably impact the fact that we gave up 16 (offensive) boards.”

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

Illinois coach Brad Underwood listens to an official during a timeout to fix a broken horn during the first half of an Elite Eight game against Iowa in the NCAA college basketball tournament Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

A referee talks with the scorer's table during an official's timeout due to a broken shot clock horn during the first half of an Elite Eight game between Iowa and Illinois in the NCAA college basketball tournament Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)