NEW YORK – With his team trailing by three points in the closing seconds of overtime against Oklahoma, Lewis Jackson penetrated the Sooners’ defense and had an opportunity to shoot near the basket.
The play was for Jackson to drive in for a layup to cut the lead to one, but instead he bounced a pass toward Keaton Grant, who stood beyond the three-point line on the left wing.
Jackson’s bounce pass went left as Grant slid the other way.
The two teammates looked at each other and grimaced over the miscommunication, but the damage had been done.
It was Oklahoma ball with 9.5 seconds left and the Sooners hit their free throws down the stretch to preserve an 87-82 overtime victory in the championship game of the NIT Season Tip-Off at Madison Square Garden. Boston College beat UAB, 83-77, in the consolation game behind 24 points from senior guard Tyrese Rice.
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There is no time for Purdue to wallow, as a date with No. 7 Duke looms ahead in Tuesday’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
“We’re drooling, we’re drooling,” Purdue guard Keaton Grant said of the matchup. “This one sits in our stomach with a bad taste in our mouth. We’re drooling for Tuesday.”
