Kentucky Gets Past LSU in Overtime

Chuck Hayes threw his arms in the air. Tubby Smith pumped his fist furiously as he ran along the sideline. Kentucky usually takes the Southeastern Conference tournament in stride, but the Wildcats couldn’t contain themselves. This one was worth celebrating.

Hayes spun into the lane to make the winning shot with 7.9 seconds left in overtime Saturday at Atlanta, giving the No. 4 Wildcats a 79-78 victory over Louisiana State and a chance to play for another SEC tournament championship.

“Certainly, it gives us the belief that we can win close games,” said Smith, the Kentucky coach.

Brandon Bass made an amazing shot for the Tigers as the buzzer sounded in regulation, forcing overtime with the score 70-70. LSU built a five-point lead in the extra period, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the Kentucky, which will play Florida for the title.

Kentucky (25-4) will be going for its third straight SEC tournament title, its 11th in 14 years and 26th overall. LSU (20-9) has won it only once, in 1980.

Patrick Sparks made a three-point basket from the corner to spark the Kentucky comeback, which was helped when LSU’s Glen Davis missed two free throws with 39 seconds left.

Kelenna Azubuike, who led the Wildcats with 19 points, drew a foul and made the first of two free throws to pull Kentucky to within 78-77. When the second attempt missed, Hayes grabbed the offensive rebound.

Kentucky called timeout and set up a play for its senior leader, even though he had made only two of nine shots. The Wildcats worked the ball inside to Hayes, who spun around the 300-pound Davis and banked in the shot with his left hand.

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Florida 69, No. 20 Alabama 62 -- Matt Walsh made six free throws in the last 17 seconds and the Gators (22-7) held on to beat the Crimson Tide (24-7) to advance to the SEC title game for the second year in a row.

Kennedy Winston’s basket in the lane made it 62-59 with 18 seconds left, giving Alabama one last shot. But Walsh, who had 17 points, clinched the win with his free throws.