Career night for Ben McLemore includes biggest shot of Kansas’ season so far
Earlier this season Kansas coach Bill Self said Ben McLemore makes plays he can't coach.
The freshman made the biggest play of the Jayhawks' season to date Wednesday banking in a game-tying, 3-pointer to tie Iowa State with 1 second remaining in regulation. The Jayhawks went on a 12-0 run with McLemore's shot and the first nine points in overtime and won 97-89.
McLemore scored a career-high 33 points and added to his resume as possible Freshman of the Year by hitting 10 of 12 shots and all six 3-pointers he attempted, including the big shot of the night in college basketball. He also hit a 3-pointer to start the scoring in overtime.
McLemore's shot ripped out the hearts of the Cyclones who hit 14 3-pointers and had six players score in double figures. Iowa State was trying to beat Kansas for the second consecutive time. It ended a a 13-game losing streak against the Jayhawks last season in Ames, Iowa, and played Kansas tough in Lawrence last season as well.
A win on the road at Kansas could have been a defining moment for the Cyclones' season. Instead coach Fred Hoiberg's team is 10-4 and lacking a signature victory. The Cyclones have lost to all three ranked teams they've played, despite playing Cincinnati, UNLV and Kansas tough.
Kansas just seems to find a way to win at Allen Fieldhouse where it has won 31 straight and 100 of 101 . The Jayhawks overcame a 9-minute stretch in which they scored just three points from the free throw line. McLemore kept his team in the game scoring 10 points during one 3-minute span in the second half when his teammates seemed to be struggling.
