Saving their best for last

[Radiated]

Saving their best for last
score last 14 points to move to SEC semifinals
By Michael Smith
mssmith@courier-journal.com (mailto:mssmith@courier-journal.com)
The Courier-Journal


NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- While his University of Kentucky basketball teammates whooped and hollered over their 68-61 comeback victory against Alabama yesterday, sophomore guard Rajon Rondo played party pooper.

"Rajon reminded us that we were supposed to win this game," forward Rekalin Sims said. "It ain't over yet. We've got more games to go."


For much of yesterday's Southeastern Conference Tournament quarterfinal, the Wildcats' chances of playing more games in the Gaylord Entertainment Center looked glum.

Alabama (17-12) led by 11 with six minutes to go, but Kentucky's torrid comeback culminated with 14 straight points to end the game, seven by junior forward Bobby Perry.

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060311/SPORTS03/603110424/1002/SPORTS

[Radiated]

Wildcats find their strength lies in numbers







NASHVILLE, Tenn.

It was the kind of victory that reminds you why this week is different from last week and why next week can make the last four months as forgettable as dial-up.

It wasn't simply that the University of Kentucky put something on the scoreboard the last 11 times it had the ball while beating Alabama 68-61 yesterday in the quarterfinals of the Southeastern Conference Tournament.

It wasn't that the Wildcats failed to retreat when 'Bama pushed them at least 10 points behind twice in the final eight minutes. I'm not even going to dwell on the way Kentucky outscored Alabama 14-0 in the final 4:17.

Splendid stuff. The grit you expect from Kentucky in a tournament that usually ends up looking like the Kentucky Invitational.

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