Kentucky's Wall hits game-winner
Associated Press
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky coach John Calipari looked up at the clock after Miami of Ohio tied the fourth-ranked Wildcats with six seconds left and wondered if he should call timeout.
John Wall didn't give him a chance.
The heralded Kentucky freshman quickly grabbed the inbounds pass, raced by his coach in a blur and pulled up from 15 feet.
Before Calipari could collect his thoughts, Wall's jumper was through the net to give the Wildcats a 72-70 win last night and Kentucky's newest superstar was running down the floor pounding his chest in joy.
"John Wall catching it and going, I loved it," Calipari said.
Wall finished with 19 points and five rebounds in his highly anticipated debut as the Wildcats (2-0) escaped the RedHawks (0-2), who took an 18-point lead in the first half.
"When it hit the bottom of the net, it was a relief, a great feeling," Wall said.
Considered the top high school player in the country when he signed with the Wildcats last spring, Wall was forced to sit out Kentucky's season-opening win over Morehead State last week as part of an NCAA suspension for accepting improper benefits from his AAU coach.
No. 5 Villanova 103, Penn 65: Maalik Wayns scored 16 points, Corey Stokes, Scottie Reynolds and Taylor King each added 14 and host Villanova (2-0) had no trouble in a rout against city rival Penn (0-2).
No. 9 Duke 74, Coastal Carolina 49: Kyle Singler had 23 points and 11 rebounds, and host Duke (2-0) beat Coastal Carolina (1-1) in the first round of the NIT Season Tip-Off.
No. 12 Connecticut 77, Colgate 63: Stanley Robinson scored 18 points leading five Huskies players in double figures as host Connecticut (2-0) beat Colgate (0-1) in the first round of the NIT Season Tip-Off.
No. 24 Minnesota 82, Stephen F. Austin 42: Rodney Williams had three dunks and a pair of 3s, finishing with 14 points to help host Minnesota (2-0) beat Stephen F. Austin (0-1).
WAC MEN
San Jose State 89, William Jessup 63: Justin Graham scored 18 points to lead four Spartans players in double figures and host San Jose State (1-0) defeated William Jessup (0-1).
