DeArmond : MU's Gardner hangs 40 points on archrival KU

**KcMizzou** · 01-17-2006, 08:16 AM

MU's Gardner hangs 40 points on archrival KU
By MIKE DeARMOND
The Kansas City Star

COLUMBIA — In the annals of the Border War, this was one for the ages. Forever remembered by those who bleed the black and gold of old Mizzou. Never to be forgotten, as hard as they may try, by those who wear the crimson and blue.

Missouri 89, Kansas 86. Overtime.

“I don’t think we’re a great team,” said Missouri coach Quin Snyder. “But we were great at times tonight. And this was a great game.”

Thomas Gardner certainly was great. The junior guard’s 40 points — 20 in the first half and 20 more in the final 25 minutes — were more than any other Missouri basketball player had ever scored in a victory over Kansas. Yes, Anthony Peeler once scored 43 on the Jayhawks. But that was in a loss. Something KU coach Bill Self understood on Monday night.

“We’ve had tougher losses probably than anyone in America,” Self said.

Yes, the Jayhawks had lost to Arkansas by one, Nevada by two, St. Joseph’s by three. And Kansas State by four just on Saturday back in Lawrence.

But this one was tougher than any of those. On both teams.

Kansas had this game won, leading by seven points, 74-67, when Christian Moody made the second of two free throws with 39.4 seconds left in regulation.

Jimmy McKinney raced the ball up court and handed it to Gardner deep on the left wing.

Gardner drained it, pulling Missouri within 74-70 with 31 seconds left.

“He was facing their basket,” Snyder said. “He just turned and banged it.”

Two seconds later, KU freshman Mario Chalmers — who led the Jayhawks with 22 points and seemingly every one of them key — bricked one free throw and swished the next.

KU led 75-70.

McKinney, who finished with 19 points, hit a two-pointer with 19 seconds left.

And then after MU got the ball back when Jason Horton and Marshall Brown forced a tie-up and MU got it on change of possession with 17.5 seconds left?

Well, McKinney worked inside, got the layup and the foul.

Which he missed, leaving MU down 75-74 with 15 seconds left in regulation.

Russell Robinson’s two free throws with 13 seconds to play gave KU a 77-74 edge. But with 5.6 seconds left, Gardner rainbowed in a three. Overtime seemed destined.

But suddenly there was Moody running free, hauling in a pass, going up strong to the left of the basket.

And getting fouled by McKinney, who also knocked aside what seemed to be the sure winning basket.

Then, the impossible happened. With four-tenths of a second left in regulation, Moody missed both free throws.

“They hit the back iron,” a dispirited Moody said.

The crowd of 15,061 fans at Mizzou Arena — at least those that came to see the Tigers roar — roared themselves.

Overtime was played in sheer pandemonium.

Missouri jumped to a four-point lead barely 1 minute in.

Kansas led 86-85 on two Darnell Jackson free throws with 1:17 left.

Gardner grabbed one of the biggest rebounds of his life when KU’s Julian Wright missed a lane jumper just outside the final 30 seconds of the extra period. And when Russell Robinson fouled him, Gardner hit the second of two free throws, giving MU an 88-86 lead with 29.3 seconds left.

KU’s Brandon Rush — whose brother Kareem was a star at Missouri — drove the lane in the final seconds and tried to dish to Jackson.

But Jackson never got hold of the ball. McKinney did.

McKinney was fouled. And, with 2 seconds left, he missed the first free throw but made the second as all of Mizzou Arena erupted.

Robinson launched from beyond half court for KU, but the shot wasn’t close.

“How did it happen?” Self said at one point.

Snyder said: “The game’s kind of a blur for me.”

Gardner: “The only moment I remember is my three that I hit with about 11 seconds left.”

He didn’t hit one with 11 seconds left.

“And then my pass to Marshall (Brown) where he got the dunk.”

That one put MU up 85-84 with 1:39 left in overtime.

Then Gardner confessed that he was caught up in the emotions of the moment as much as anyone.

“I just remember getting knocked down by the fans,” he said.

The victory boosted Missouri to 10-5 overall and 3-1 in the Big 12. It dropped Kansas to 10-6 overall and 1-2 in the league.

And in the end, there was Gardner hugging Snyder and telling his coach:

“I’m your leader, and I’m going to continue to lead this team through the Big 12. I trust in everything you’re doing. Keep trusting me.”

King_Chief_Fan · 01-17-2006, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

MU's Gardner hangs 40 points on archrival KU
By MIKE DeARMOND
The Kansas City Star

COLUMBIA — .

“We’ve had tougher losses probably than anyone in America,” Self said.

Yes, the Jayhawks had lost to Arkansas by one, Nevada by two, St. Joseph’s by three. And Kansas State by four just on Saturday back in Lawrence.

.”

and these very points indicate that Kansas sucks big time when they cannot beat any of these teams.

ha ha

**CosmicPal** · 01-17-2006, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_Chief_Fan

and these very points indicate that Kansas sucks big time when they cannot beat any of these teams.

ha ha

ROYC75 · 01-17-2006, 09:51 AM

More like a team that is young and learning how to finish games ..........

They ( KU ) will be fine very soon, but in the meantime, keep thinking whatever you MU fans need to think to make yourself feel better.

Eleazar · 01-17-2006, 09:56 AM

Quote:

“How did it happen?” Self said at one point.

"Who am I? Why am I here?"

beavis · 01-17-2006, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROYC75

More like a team that is young and learning how to finish games ..........

They ( KU ) will be fine very soon, but in the meantime, keep thinking whatever you MU fans need to think to make yourself feel better.

Fine by me... 89-86 makes me feel great.

beer bacon · 01-17-2006, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROYC75

More like a team that is young and learning how to finish games ..........

They ( KU ) will be fine very soon, but in the meantime, keep thinking whatever you MU fans need to think to make yourself feel better.

We beat KU last night. Yeah, that feels damn good.

shakesthecat · 01-17-2006, 10:02 AM

Buck up, KU fan!
At least your team is still ahead of Baylor in the Big12 standings.

For now

kepp · 01-17-2006, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROYC75

More like a team that is young and learning how to finish games ..........

They ( KU ) will be fine very soon, but in the meantime, keep thinking whatever you MU fans need to think to make yourself feel better.

Its not too late - your're still in stage one...

01-17-2006, 08:16 AM
KcMizzou Supporter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Parkville MO Casino cash: $10005170	DeArmond : MU's Gardner hangs 40 points on archrival KU MU's Gardner hangs 40 points on archrival KU By MIKE DeARMOND The Kansas City Star COLUMBIA — In the annals of the Border War, this was one for the ages. Forever remembered by those who bleed the black and gold of old Mizzou. Never to be forgotten, as hard as they may try, by those who wear the crimson and blue. Missouri 89, Kansas 86. Overtime. “I don’t think we’re a great team,” said Missouri coach Quin Snyder. “But we were great at times tonight. And this was a great game.” Thomas Gardner certainly was great. The junior guard’s 40 points — 20 in the first half and 20 more in the final 25 minutes — were more than any other Missouri basketball player had ever scored in a victory over Kansas. Yes, Anthony Peeler once scored 43 on the Jayhawks. But that was in a loss. Something KU coach Bill Self understood on Monday night. “We’ve had tougher losses probably than anyone in America,” Self said. Yes, the Jayhawks had lost to Arkansas by one, Nevada by two, St. Joseph’s by three. And Kansas State by four just on Saturday back in Lawrence. But this one was tougher than any of those. On both teams. Kansas had this game won, leading by seven points, 74-67, when Christian Moody made the second of two free throws with 39.4 seconds left in regulation. Jimmy McKinney raced the ball up court and handed it to Gardner deep on the left wing. Gardner drained it, pulling Missouri within 74-70 with 31 seconds left. “He was facing their basket,” Snyder said. “He just turned and banged it.” Two seconds later, KU freshman Mario Chalmers — who led the Jayhawks with 22 points and seemingly every one of them key — bricked one free throw and swished the next. KU led 75-70. McKinney, who finished with 19 points, hit a two-pointer with 19 seconds left. And then after MU got the ball back when Jason Horton and Marshall Brown forced a tie-up and MU got it on change of possession with 17.5 seconds left? Well, McKinney worked inside, got the layup and the foul. Which he missed, leaving MU down 75-74 with 15 seconds left in regulation. Russell Robinson’s two free throws with 13 seconds to play gave KU a 77-74 edge. But with 5.6 seconds left, Gardner rainbowed in a three. Overtime seemed destined. But suddenly there was Moody running free, hauling in a pass, going up strong to the left of the basket. And getting fouled by McKinney, who also knocked aside what seemed to be the sure winning basket. Then, the impossible happened. With four-tenths of a second left in regulation, Moody missed both free throws. “They hit the back iron,” a dispirited Moody said. The crowd of 15,061 fans at Mizzou Arena — at least those that came to see the Tigers roar — roared themselves. Overtime was played in sheer pandemonium. Missouri jumped to a four-point lead barely 1 minute in. Kansas led 86-85 on two Darnell Jackson free throws with 1:17 left. Gardner grabbed one of the biggest rebounds of his life when KU’s Julian Wright missed a lane jumper just outside the final 30 seconds of the extra period. And when Russell Robinson fouled him, Gardner hit the second of two free throws, giving MU an 88-86 lead with 29.3 seconds left. KU’s Brandon Rush — whose brother Kareem was a star at Missouri — drove the lane in the final seconds and tried to dish to Jackson. But Jackson never got hold of the ball. McKinney did. McKinney was fouled. And, with 2 seconds left, he missed the first free throw but made the second as all of Mizzou Arena erupted. Robinson launched from beyond half court for KU, but the shot wasn’t close. “How did it happen?” Self said at one point. Snyder said: “The game’s kind of a blur for me.” Gardner: “The only moment I remember is my three that I hit with about 11 seconds left.” He didn’t hit one with 11 seconds left. “And then my pass to Marshall (Brown) where he got the dunk.” That one put MU up 85-84 with 1:39 left in overtime. Then Gardner confessed that he was caught up in the emotions of the moment as much as anyone. “I just remember getting knocked down by the fans,” he said. The victory boosted Missouri to 10-5 overall and 3-1 in the Big 12. It dropped Kansas to 10-6 overall and 1-2 in the league. And in the end, there was Gardner hugging Snyder and telling his coach: “I’m your leader, and I’m going to continue to lead this team through the Big 12. I trust in everything you’re doing. Keep trusting me.”
Posts: 54,695

01-17-2006, 09:51 AM	#4
ROYC75 Time For Your Wake Up Call !!! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Barn Yard Casino cash: $5579400	More like a team that is young and learning how to finish games .......... They ( KU ) will be fine very soon, but in the meantime, keep thinking whatever you MU fans need to think to make yourself feel better. __________________ Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I'm liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it. John Lennon
Posts: 37,000

01-17-2006, 10:02 AM	#8
shakesthecat Veteran Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: IA Casino cash: $4213833	Buck up, KU fan! At least your team is still ahead of Baylor in the Big12 standings. For now
Posts: 3,353