Julius Mays’ eight points in overtime, including four  free throws in the final 33 seconds, helped Kentucky get past Missouri 90-83 Saturday night. For as much talk as there was about Kentucky needing a quality win to bolster their NCAA Tournament resume, one has to wonder what this loss does to Missouri’s resume?

Phil Pressey’s 27 points kept Missouri in the game, but his final driving layup was blocked in the closing seconds of regulation and missed shots and poor decisions hampered the point guard once again down the stretch.

Pressey hit a jumper with 3:20 to play in OT that put Mizzou up 79-77. Mays countered with a basket to tie the game, and that’s where Pressey forced the issue again. He missed a jumper and then tried an ill-advised three with the game tied. On the third straight trip down the floor with the game still tied and 1:31 to play, Pressey went up in the air, held his shot, then looked to pass and threw the ball away. Archie Goodwin took it back the other giving Kentucky the lead for good. Mays made six free throws in overtime and scored 21 of his 24 points after halftime for the Wildcats.

The box score for Pressey is impressive. 12 of 24 shooting, 10 assists to go along with the 27 points and four steals to go along with four turnovers. It’s the poor decisions in crucial situations that have Missouri fans scratching their heads.

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