No. 14 Eastern Washington’s Tanner and Jacob Groves making things hard for Kansas

© AJ Mast, AP Eastern Washington forward Tanner Groves (35) is pressured by Kansas guard Christian Braun, left, and Kansas guard Ochai Agbaji (30) as he goes up for a shot during the second half of a first-round game in the NCAA college basketball tournament at Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 20, 2021. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Sharpshooting brothers Jake and Tanner Groves had Kansas on the ropes but they could not pull off the upset. 

David McCormack’s 20 second-half points led No. 3 seed Kansas to a 93-84 win over No. 14 seed Eastern Washington in a NCAA tournament first-round game. 

The Groves brothers combined for 58 points. Tanner Groves scored a game-high 35 points. Jake Groves added 23 points and nine rebounds. 

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Jake Groves entered the game averaging just 8.7 points per game. The 6-7 sophomore shot 6 of 8 in the first half. The younger Groves brother has been coming on strong lately, averaging 18 points over his last two games.

Tanner is enjoying a breakout redshirt junior season, but the 6-9 forward has experienced some viral fame in the past. His vicious put back dunk against Multnomah on Dec. 13 earned him the No. 1 play of the night on SportsCenter.

The Groves brothers grew up in Spokane, Wash. but neither received a scholarship offer from local powerhouse Gonzaga. 

Tanner was a zero-star recruit out of Shadle Park High School. Younger brother Jake was also lightly recruited, but the duo scorched the nets at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum against the Jayhawks. 

The brothers aren’t the only athletes in the family. According to the Spokeman-Review,  father Randy, is 6-6 and played basketball at Community Colleges of Spokane. 

Mother, Tara, a former Colville High School basketball star, still holds the school’s all-time scoring mark.

The Groves brothers combined for 32 first-half points, helping the Eagles take a 46-38 lead over the Jayhawks.

Follow IndyStar sports reporter Akeem Glaspie on Twitter at @THEAkeemGlaspie.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: No. 14 Eastern Washington’s Tanner and Jacob Groves’ upset attempt falls short against No. 3 Kansas