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Jones' last-second free throws sends Tigers back to Kansas City
Posted: Mar 08, 2023

Jones' last-second free throws sends Tigers back to Kansas City

Kyran Jones hit 2 free throws with 0.4 seconds left to send Georgetown back to Kansas City as the Tigers knocked off Indiana Wesleyan, 75-74, in a 2nd round instant classic at Davis-Reid Alumni Gym. Neither team led by more than 7 points in a game that had 6 ties and 11 lead changes.

Indiana Wesleyan got out to a quick 7-2 lead after the 1st of its 7 first half threes. The Wildcats' 2nd 3 put them up 10-5, before Cam Brooks-Harris answered with one of his own. A slam from Rashad Bishop and a jumper from Brooks-Harris gave Georgetown a 12-10 lead with 15:28 to go in the first, forcing an IWU timeout. Jake Ohmer scored after an IWU missed layup to make it 14-10, but the Wildcats hit another 3 to stay close. Another Bishop slam, followed by a Kyran Jones jumper and layup, gave the Tigers its largest lead at 22-15 with 11:23 to go in the half. The teams would exchange threes once more but IWU crept closer with 5 straight points, cutting the Tigers lead to 25-23 with 8:45 to go. Defense would soon take over as the scoring pace slowed. 2 more baskets from Kyran Jones gave the Tigers a 32-25 lead with 5 minutes left. IWU would respond with a 10-2 run in just 2 minutes, taking a 35-34 lead. The Wildcats momentum would continue as they took a 44-39 halftime lead, despite Georgetown shooting 62% in the half. IWU countered by knocking down 7 of 12 from three-point range.

After playing just 2 minutes in the 1st half due to foul trouble, Drew LaMont knocked down a quick 3 to start the 2nd half, getting GC back within 2. He would force a steal soon after, leading to 2 Jake Ohmer free throws, then hit a jumper to bring the Tigers within 48-46 with 16:44 to go. After a missed IWU 3, Jaquay Wales played long ball and put the Tigers up 49-48. IWU would hit 2 free throws on its next possession, but LaMont answered to put the Tigers back ahead. The Wildcats' Noah Smith then scored 4 straight to give IWU a 54-51 lead with 12:45 remaining. Smith would score at the 10-minute mark, giving IWU its largest lead at 59-53. Kyran Jones then stepped up with a monster 3, cutting the deficit in half. LaMont brought the Tigers back within 1 but IWU countered with another 3, to take a 62-58 lead with just under 8 minutes to play. The Tigers defense tightened up. A missed IWU 3 and turnover gave GC added life. LaMont responded with a 3 and after another IWU turnover, Wales hit one from deep and the Tigers had a 64-62 lead with 5:18 to go. IWU would call a timeout to quiet the raucous Davis-Reid Alumni Gym crowd. Out of the timeout, the LaMont-Wales combo worked again to give GC a 69-64 lead with 3:35 to go. On the brink, the Wildcats showed strong poise and fought back as was the case for both teams all night long. A score, stop, and score brought IWU within 1 with 1:53 to go, and after a Cam Brooks-Harris foul, the Wildcats took the lead with 2 free throws. Georgetown would miss on the ensuing possession and IWU would call a timeout with 51 seconds to go, and a 70-69 lead. They would try to go inside to 7-foot Seth Maxwell but his shot was blocked by LaMont; however, the Wildcats tipped home the rebound for a 72-69 lead with 13 seconds to go.

Jake Ohmer raced down the floor with a score to get GC within 1 with 10 seconds on the clock. Ohmer would foul Noah Smith, who knocked down both free throws. At this point, IWU had only committed 3 fouls in the half, leaving them with 3 to give before Tiger free throws. Ohmer took the inbound and raced up the floor, but by the time the Wildcats used a foul, Ohmer was in the act of shooting a 3-pointer and was awarded 3 free throws with 7 seconds left and the Tigers down, 74-71. He knocked down the first 2 with ease. IWU called a timeout to ice the shooter. It worked. Ohmer missed the 3rd then fouled out going for the rebound. Kyran Jones would re-enter the game, and Head Coach Chris Briggs called for time looking to ice the Wildcats at the line. It worked. The Tigers raced up the floor. Jones put up a shot as IWU was trying to foul. It wasn't called but a foul was called away from the ball, giving the Tigers an inbound chance with exactly 1 second remaining in the season.

Drew LaMont took the ball out, evaluated his options, and snuck the ball into Jones under the basket. Jones quickly went up and was fouled on the arm by Maxwell. The call sent Jones to the line with 0.4 seconds to go. The redshirt junior proved his veteran calmness by sinking both free throws, putting the Tigers ahead 75-74. A final IWU heave came up short and the Tigers won the instant classic.

Kyran Jones went back into the starting lineup, replacing Tae Dozier, who didn't play in this game. Jones finished with 15 points and 6 rebounds. Drew LaMont scored all 15 of his points after halftime, knocking down 6 of the Tigers 12 2nd half buckets. Jake Ohmer finished with 16 points, while Jaquay Wales added 10 points and 7 assists. Cam Brooks-Harris was saddled with foul trouble all night but ended with 8 points. Rashad Bishop scored 7 off the bench, and Seth Johnson and Jabrion Spikes added 2 each.

The Tigers now return to Kansas City for a round of 16 matchup with 2-seed Langston (OK). The game is scheduled to be played on Tuesday, March 14th at 2:00pm ET at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri.