Overtime Belongs to Padgett, Kentucky

Scott Padgett didn’t hesitate to fire away in overtime.

“I feel like at the end of games, I’m supposed to make those shots,” Padgett said after scoring 10 of his 23 points in overtime to help sixth-ranked Kentucky beat Georgia, 91-83, Tuesday night at Athens, Ga.

Padgett’s effort included two three-point baskets, a tip-in and two free throws after Heshimu Evans put the Wildcats ahead to stay with the first of his two three-point plays in overtime.

The victory left Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith drained, and pleased that he won’t have to return to Athens again face his son--Georgia senior G.G.

“From an emotional standpoint, it’s probably a relief,” the Kentucky coach said.

Tubby Smith left Georgia after the 1996-97 season to take the Kentucky job,leading the Wildcats to the national championship. Another of his sons, Saul, plays for Kentucky, which has swept the three family matchups, with one more to come at Lexington, Ky., next month.

“Their effort against us was as good as anybody we lost to in the four games we lost,” said Tubby Smith. “Tonight’s game was a great college basketball game. Georgia showed a lot of heart.”

Wayne Turner’s free throw with 36 seconds remaining lifted Kentucky, 18-4 overall and 7-1 in the Southeastern Conference, into a 72-72 tie in regulation. Jumaine Jones, who had a career-high 34 points for Georgia (12-8, 3-5), rimmed out a six-footer from the right side at the regulation buzzer.

No. 19 Minnesota 90, No. 20 Indiana 83--Quincy Lewis scored the last six of his 36 points on free throws to give the Golden Gophers (13-4, 4-3 Big Ten) an overtime victory over the Hoosiers (16-7, 3-5) at Minneapolis.

Lewis, the Big Ten’s leading scorer, had 26 points after halftime, including eight in the overtime, to match his career best.

Kevin Clark had 17 points for Minnesota, which rebounded from a 29-point loss at Ohio State last Saturday. A.J. Guyton led Indiana with 27 points and freshman Kirk Haston scored a career-best 24.

*

In a late Monday night game, Tony Harvey scored 19 points off the bench, and Utah (15-4, 4-0 Western Athletic Conference) beat Fresno State (13-7, 3-2) at its own running, gunning game in an 87-74 victory at Salt Lake City.

Utah’s Alex Jensen had 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists--the third triple-double in school history--while Andre Miller had 17 points, 14 assists and six rebounds.

WOMEN

No. 2 Purdue 64, No. 19 Ohio State 56--Stephanie White-McCarty scored 20 points as the Boilermakers (17-1, 9-0 Big Ten) beat the Buckeyes (13-5, 6-2) at Columbus, Ohio.

No. 7 Notre Dame 94, Syracuse 61--Sheila McMillen scored 23 points and Ruth Riley added 20 as the Irish (16-2, 8-2 Big East) beat the overmatched Orangewomen (8-10, 4-6) at Syracuse, N.Y.

No. 12 Old Dominion 75, William & Mary 43--Lucienne Berthieu had 26 points and 12 rebounds at Williamburg, Va., to lead the Monarchs (14-3, 8-0 Colonial Athletic Assn.) past the Tribe (9-9, 2-6).