Toppers win at buzzer
TAMPA, Fla. -- What a finish.
Just when it seemed that Drake had put away pesky Western Kentucky, Hilltoppers' guard Ty Rogers drilled a 3-pointer at the buzzer to seal a 101-99 upset win.
The shot came after Drake's Jon Cox, who sent the game to overtime with a 3-pointer near the end of regulation, hit two free throws with 5.7 seconds remaining in overtime to give his team a 1-point lead.
WKU's Tyrone Brazelton brought the ball down court, and it looked like he would take the last shot. With 33 points already behind him, why not? Instead he dished to Rogers, who send the red-clad Toppers' fans into complete bedlam.
"We knew 5 seconds was enough time to get to the basket," Brazelton said. "Coach said we should get the ball to the rim, and during the timeout, Ty Rogers came up to me and said, 'Don't be afraid to kick it to me.' I saw him over there, and when the defense collapsed on me I kicked it to him."
Rogers' shot kicked off a massive celebration as he and his teammates raced around the court and the WKU fans celebrated in the stands.
It was a fitting end to a game the Hilltoppers led by as many as 16 points in the second half.
"I think what you just saw out there is why this is the greatest show on earth," WKU head coach Darrin Horn said.
"We were fortunate that we got the ball last."
Drake's gutsy comeback probably would have ended in the Bulldogs' favor if not for Brazelton. The guard his 6 of 10 3-point attempts, and he was matched by DU forward Klayton Korver, brother of NBA player Kyle, who nailed 6 of 14 3's and helped his team sustain many Hilltoppers onslaughts.
After Brazelton's performance, it seemed a safe bet that he would take the last shot. Drake's defense flocked to him, leaving Rogers a sliver of space to hit the last shot.
After a Cindarella season, Drake must now pass the slipper on to WKU, a squad Rogers believes is one of destiny.
"The reason I wanted the ball is because I have faith," Rogers said. "I think everybody on this team has faith. It's something we talk about, and it didn't have to be me that shot the ball. Whoever shot it, it was going down, in my opinion."
