Unexpected Shot Lifts Mississippi

Every short guy who has ever been bullied by a 6-footer ought to write a thank-you note to Jason Harrison.

The 5-5 Harrison made the key shot that boosted Mississippi past Notre Dame, 59-56, in the second round of the Midwest Regional on Sunday.

With the shot clock winding down and only 46 seconds to go, Harrison pulled up and made an unexpected three-point shot that put the third-seeded Rebels ahead, 57-55.

A moment earlier, Ryan Humphrey’s basket had given sixth-seeded Notre Dame (20-10) its first lead of the second half.

“I looked at the shot clock and it had eight,” Harrison said. “It’s one of those shots you dream about. I knew I had to make a play. I hadn’t made a play in a long time and I didn’t want to let the team down.”

The Rebels (27-7), who have advanced farther than any Mississippi team and whose victory total is a school record, will meet No. 2-seeded Arizona on Friday in the regional semifinals.

Center Rahim Lockhart led Mississippi with 24 points. Notre Dame’s Troy Murphy, the co-Big East player of the year, had 17 points but was one for seven in the second half.