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Missouri hits late FT, beats Drake 77-76 in OT

Sports

March 22nd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Just moments after the worst foul of her career, Drake’s Becca Hittner got her chance for redemption. Hittner’s wide-open jumper as time expired instead clanked off the back of the rim, a cruel reminder that for every March buzzer-beater there’s a potential game winner that ends in anguish.

Jordan Roundtree hit a free throw after being fouled with 1.1 seconds left in overtime and seventh-seeded Missouri held off Drake 77-76 on Friday to advance to the NCAA Tournament’s round of 32 for the third time in four years.

Sophie Cunningham scored 21 points and Cierra Porter had 18 for the Tigers (24-10), who can advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2001 with a win over second-seeded and host Iowa on Sunday. Hittner had 19 and Rhine chipped in with 18 points for Drake (27-7), which bowed out of the NCAA Tournament for the third year in a row.

“This one is really painful,” Drake coach Jennie Baranczyk said. “This is a tough one. It’s a really tough one.” The Bulldogs were given an at-large bid after getting upset by Missouri State in the Valley final. They can argue about being under-seeded despite being ranked 21st before that defeat, but at some point Drake has to come through and win an NCAA Tournament game. The Bulldogs were within an inch of doing so at the overtime buzzer though.