Kentucky Pulls out Must-Win Game in OT Thriller over Missouri
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With everything on the line Saturday night Kentucky came through with a monumental overtime win against the Missouri Tigers by the score of 90-83.
Julius Mays led the way with 24 points and hit clutch shot after clutch shot for the Wildcats at the end of regulation and overtime. It is safe to say that John Calipari’s squad would be part of the field of 68 if the NCAA tournament started today.
As for Missouri, the Tigers are now a disappointing 1-7 on the road this season. Most of those losses, including tonight’s, came in heartbreaking fashion. Phil Pressey put up a valiant effort for his squad with 27 points and 10 assists.
Next up for Kentucky is a cakewalk game against Mississippi State, while the Tigers head to South Carolina and will try to actually win a game on the road.
The biggest storyline of the night though is the Wildcats’ surge into the hypothetical field of 68 with this victory.
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Kentucky 90, Missouri 83 FINAL
What a huge performance by Kentucky in overtime. Clutch shooting, free-throws and defensive stops propelled John Calipari's squad to a much-needed win over the snake-bitten Tigers.
Kentucky 89, Missouri 83 (16 seconds overtime)
Missouri delaying the inevitable now.
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
That's about all she wrote folks. Kentucky up four going to the line with 33 seconds left. Almost time to party for Big Blue Nation.
Wow. Kentucky almost threw it away but bailed out by a foul on the inbounds. Wildcats survive a scare there.
Kentucky 83, Missouri 81 (43 seconds overtime)
Looking like it could be another heartbreaking road loss for Missouri if Kentucky closes the deal.
Kentucky 81, Missouri 79 (48 seconds overtime)
For as great as Pressey has been he may have just clinched a tournament appearance for Kentucky with a missed three and then turnover. Wildcats on the line.
ESPN shows highlights of the Notre Dame and Louisville game that went into five overtimes just to tease anyone who wants to go to bed or out after this game.
Willie Cauley-Stein has played great tonight, but he's 1-for-7 from the FT line.
— Ben Roberts (@NextCats) February 24, 2013
Kentucky 77, Missouri 77 (3:34 overtime)
Cauley-Stein misses both from the line after a huge fourth foul on Oriakhi.
Cats have no defensive answer for Pressey. Another drive. Another layup. Now 21 points, 10 assists for him.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_CJ) February 24, 2013
Missouri 77, Kentucky 75 (4:00 overtime)
Pressey is dominating this game. It feels like Kentucky against Pressey, winner takes all.
Yet another SEC overtime today. Tennessee-Texas A&M went 4. Alabama-LSU went 3. South Carolina-Georgia went 1.
— John Clay (@johnclayiv) February 24, 2013
Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images
Pressey holding his elbow in the huddle. With Bowers fouled out, the Tigers cannot afford to have Pressey miss any time.
Missouri 75, Kentucky 75 OVERTIME
Pressey misses his shot and then Mays bricks a half-court attempt. This is approximately the 13th overtime game in the SEC today.
If Kentucky loses, here's the stat to look at: Cats are 12-of-22 at foul line for 54.5 percent.
— John Clay (@johnclayiv) February 24, 2013
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Missouri 75, Kentucky 73 (55 seconds second half)
Cauley-Stein with a crippling turnover and Pressey (who else?) gives the Tigers the lead. Crowd is very nervous.
Kentucky 73, Missouri 73 (1:17 second half)
Questionable call on Kentucky there, and Missouri hits both from the line. Oh boy.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
And that pretty much summed up Missouri on the road this year: Bowers fouls out in the game's critical moments on a three-point shot. Mays to the line for three. Unbelievable.
Missouri 71, Kentucky 71 (1:35 second half)
Pressey with a huge steal and the Tigers have tied it up. Big time pressure now.
Bowers has been sitting just shy of two minutes with his fourth foul. I think Haith is finally putting him back in though with 2:36 to play.
— Steve Walentik (@Steve_Walentik) February 24, 2013
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Three-point game heading into the final media timeout. Strap on your seatbelts because Kentucky's season will turn for the better or worse in these last few minutes.
Interesting perspective from Jerry Palm of CBS:
ESPN announcers keep harping on Mizzou road record. Have 3 neutral wins vs top 100, incl Illinois, VCU.Those are just as good.
— Jerry Palm (@jppalmCBS) February 24, 2013
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Kentucky 70, Missouri 65 (3:10 second half)
Mays hits a three. That was the biggest shot of Kentucky's season thus far.
Cauley-Stein's shoes are blinding. That is all.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Kentucky 66, Missouri 63 (4:55 second half)
Pressey willing his team back into the game by himself. Another huge three.
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