PROVIDENCE, R.I. — James Jones, the Yale coach, walked across the floor, arms raised in triumph. He approached the Bulldogs fans in the stands at Dunkin’ Donuts Center and slammed his hands on the press table. Immediately behind him, the Ivy League player of the year, Justin Sears, lay on his back on the court, in equal parts frustration and elation.
Players hugged players. Coaches hugged coaches. Fans hugged fans.
Yale, improbably, had done it.
The 12th-seeded Bulldogs, making their first N.C.A.A. tournament appearance since 1962, made it a memorable one, stunning No. 5-seeded Baylor, 79-75, in opening-round play in the West Region on Thursday.