Missouri Stuns Marquette in NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Thriller

Strategic Insights -

In a breathtaking finish to the first round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, Missouri pulled off a stunning 83-79 victory over Marquette behind the clutch free throws of freshman Kim English. With 5.5 seconds left and the score tied, English came off the bench to "pinch-shoot" for injured J.T. Tiller and made two free throws to give the third-seeded Tigers (30-6) the lead. English's remarkable play was an encore to her incredible 4 1/2-minute shooting spree in the first half, where she scored 15 points and helped Mizzou turn a six-point deficit into a 16-point lead.

Key Takeaways:

  • Freshman Kim English made two clutch free throws with 5.5 seconds left to give Missouri the go-ahead points in an 83-79 victory over Marquette.
  • English was on the bench for most of the second half, watching Marquette chip away at the lead and eventually go ahead, but was brought back in after J.T. Tiller injured his right wrist.
  • Coach Mike Anderson chose English to shoot the free throws for Tiller, citing the college rule that allows teams to substitute for an injured free-throw shooter.
  • English's performance was an encore to her incredible 4 1/2-minute shooting spree in the first half, where she scored 15 points and helped Mizzou turn a six-point deficit into a 16-point lead.
  • Marquette's Lazar Hayward stepped over the baseline on the ensuing inbounds pass, and the Golden Eagles (25-10) were forced to foul, allowing Missouri to ice the game.
  • Missouri moved on to the West regional semifinals to play Memphis, while Marquette's Jerel McNeal had a wonderful effort, matching his career high with 30 points.
  • Wesley Matthews added 24 points for the Golden Eagles.

Statistics:

  • Missouri's Kim English made 2/2 free throws with 5.5 seconds left to seal the win.
  • English scored 19 points in the game, including 15 points in a 4 1/2-minute shooting spree in the first half.
  • Marquette's Lazar Hayward committed a critical error by stepping over the baseline on the ensuing inbounds pass.
  • Missouri's Leo Lyons made 2/2 free throws to ice the game after English's clutch shots.

Sources:

  • THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BOISE, Idaho --
  • NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament official website
  • Marquette University Athletics official website
  • Missouri Tigers Athletics official website