Mizzou strikes wild buzzer-beater to stun No
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.– DeAndre Gholston hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to provide Missouri a stunning 86-85 success over No. 6 Tennessee on Saturday night.With 4.2 seconds
left in the game and the Volunteers (19-6, 8-4 Southeastern Conference) leading 85-83, Santiago Vescovi missed a totally free toss. His second effort was waived off when Tobe Awaka dedicated a lane violation, establishing a last opportunity for the Tigers (19-6, 7-5).
Gholston took the inbounds pass and dribbled up the court before taking an off-balance contested 3-pointer from about 30 feet that swished through the net at the buzzer for the win. He was mobbed by his teammates after hitting the shot.
“I knew Dre wasn’t going to pass,” Missouri coach Dennis Gates stated. Gholston struck a game-winning shot earlier in the season against Central Florida.The end resembled Tennessee’s Wednesday night loss to Vanderbilt. Vescovi missed out on a complimentary toss then and a 3-pointer at the buzzer ended the game. The Vols have now lost three of the past 4.” This had a different feel than the other night,”Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said.” All of us hurt for [Vescovi] He’s injuring. He’s won a lot of games for us.”
Tennessee came back from a 17-point deficit early in the 2nd half and led the last 7:11 of the game. Tyreke Secret came off the bench to score 21 of his 23 points after intermission.Key connected on five 3-pointers to assist the Volunteers recuperate from the huge hole that happened early in the 2nd half. Vescovi, who scored 16 points, struck back-to-back 3-pointers that finally pulled Tennessee ahead with 7:15 to go in the game.Zakai Zeigler had 11 points and 10 assists for the Vols.”
We nearly worried, “Gates said.”Our men stuck with the game plan.
We had the ability to move the ball and challenged ourselves on the 3-point line [the Tigers shot 54%, 14 of 26] That’s our identity. “Kobe Brown scored 21 to lead the Tigers. Gholston ended up with 18
points, Sean East had 17 and D’Moi Hodge included 14.”I’m happy we were able to carry out under adverse scenarios,” Gates said.Missouri, which shoots 34%
from 3 on the season, struck 50 %( 8 of 16)of its long-range shots in the very first half en route to
a 44-32 lead. It was the fifth time Tennessee has tracked at halftime.” [Missouri] shot the ball exceptionally well [in the very first half],” Barnes stated.
” We provided an excellent effort. We required to change the game. “The Associated Press added to this report.