by Paul Jordan
John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins may be “one and doners” at Kentucky, but today, they cemented their contribution in UK lore and became the stuff that legends are made of. Kentucky stormed back from five points down with 2:11 remaining to force overtime and then went on to win a dramatic overtime for a 75-74 victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs and wrap up a 26th SEC Tournament title.
Today’s game has to rank in the top 10 UK comebacks of all time and the thing is, it was a team contribution. Down 62-57 with 2:11 remaining, DeMarcus Cousins had the ball stolen from by by Phil Turner and the Bulldogs had a chance to go up seven and clinch the upset. Barry Stewart missed a jumper and Darnell Dodson grabbed the rebound and missed a three pointer at the other end of the court. Patrick Patterson grabbed the rebound and laid the ball in and the Cats had another live. Jarvis Varnado had a breakaway dunk but Cousins fouled him and saved the two points. Varnado missed both free throws and these Cats used another of their lives. Kentucky still could not convert and it looked like the Bulldogs were going to hold on for the win with the ball but John Wall made a great steal in the corner of the court and went in uncontested for a layup which brought the Cats to within 62-61 with just :36 remaining.
Dee Bost missed a free throw and John Wall’s first chance at glory was a little short and Barry Stewart made two free throws to put the Bulldogs up 64-61 with just :08 remaining. And you have to feel for Rick Stansbury. He did the right thing. Barry Stewart fouled Eric Bledsoe and did not allow him to get a three off. With the foul, Stewart fouled out. Bledsoe sank the first shot and then shot a high soft free throw which bounced off the rim into Patrick Patterson’s hands who got it to John Wall who attempted a corner three. It was short a bit and the rebound ended up in DeMarcus Cousins big paws who got a shot off with :00:01 left which bounced on the rim and dropped to send the game to overtime.
The Bulldogs fought UK on overtime as fiercely as the first forty minutes. Ravern Johnson knotted the score at 69 with 1:46 left, but Eric Bledsoe made a layup and then John Wall sank an off balance three with :26 left. Still not out of the woods, the Cats needed a awkward looking Cousins free throw to seal the deal as the Bulldogs sank a last second three pointer for the final margin.
And if Mississippi State does not make the NCAA Tourney, this selection committee needs to have it’s head examined. They took the number two team to overtime twice in the last month or so of the season.
You have to feel great for Patrick Patterson whose decision to return to Kentucky was validated by a SEC championship on his birthday. He had 15 points and 6 boards for the Cats today. DeMarcus Cousins had 10 points and 10 rebounds and seemed to be involved with every big play down the stretch. John Wall had 17 points, 9 assists and 6 boards and validated his reputation as a clutch player with seven points in OT. And Eric Bledsoe had a big game for the second straight day with 18 points.
It’s funny how emotions change in just a few minutes. I had a lot of notes I wanted to write about concerning defensive transition and not guarding the three … but that is all mute now. I don’t nit pick wins, and you have to agree that Kentucky’s will to win trumps any individual plays or shots I could bring up.
For complete game stats, go here.
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