Kentucky’s Shots Hit Mark From Near and Far, 106-98

Kentucky took control early with three-point shooting, but it took free-throw shooting down the stretch to hold off Iowa State, 106-98, during the second round of the East Regional.

The sixth-ranked Wildcats made 10 of 12 free throws in the final 1:17.

“They kept coming at us,” Kentucky’s John Pelphrey said. “We just happened to make some free throws down the stretch, which saved the day for us.”

Second-seeded Kentucky (28-6) was led by Jamal Mashburn, who scored 27 points.

Justus Thigpen scored 32 and Ron Bayless 30 for 10th-seeded Iowa State (21-13).

“Those two guys were incredible,” Pelphrey said.

Iowa State made its last 12 free throws, but, Thigpen said, “Every move we made, they counteracted. They’re a well-coached team and played well down the stretch.”

After the game, Iowa State Coach Johnny Orr wasn’t so complimentary. Orr was upset that the officials failed to call a technical on Kentucky Coach Rick Pitino for leaving the coaching area.

“They had no guts to call” a technical foul against Pitino, Orr said of the officials. “What do they put the rule in for?”

Coaches are prohibited from crossing a line located about 20 feet from midcourt and beside their benches. Pitino crossed it many times.

“I may have violated that,” he said, but “I was out of the coaching box coaching my team, not yelling at the officials. He (Orr) was in the coaching box berating officials.”

Kentucky, third in the nation in three-point shooting, made 11 of 22 Sunday and shot 58.7% (37 of 63) overall.