When most people think of college basketball in Kentucky, Morehead State isn’t one of the first schools to come to mind - if they even know it exists.
That changed - at least temporarily - Thursday when Morehead's Demonte Harper pulled up for a three pointer that put the No. 13 seeded Eagles up 62-61 over No. 4 seed Louisville with 7 seconds left on the clock at Denver’s Pepsi Center.
The last two times Morehead State has gone to the NCAA tournament (2009 and 1984), Louisville punched their tickets home in the first round. But the ending was different in today's First Round game.
With his team down 61-59 with 22 seconds remaining, Harper took an inbounds pass behind the half-court line and dribbled in place long enough for this observer to question his judgment.
Then, he engaged Louisville guard Peyton Siva, head-faked and crossed over to the right, and elevated for a lightning-quick release on the nothing-but-net, game-winning jumper.
Harper hadn’t made a 3-pointer all afternoon; he’d missed five. But he made it when it was most needed.
That's a Cinderella ending.
