Indiana defeats Kentucky in premier second-round matchup

DES MOINES – Indiana point guard Yogi Ferrell's two free throws fell with less than a second on the clock, and in a moment the swashes of red at Wells Fargo Arena erupted.

Just a few blinks after Kentucky floor general Tyler Ulis fouled out with 10 seconds remaining, Ferrell (18 points, five rebounds, four assists) had the last word, officially ushering in fifth-seeded Indiana's biggest win of the season in one of the best games in the NCAA tournament thus far, a 73-67 victory over fourth-seeded Kentucky in the second round.

"We're obviously elated to win a game of this magnitude, not just because it's the NCAA tournament and the round of 32 but because it's against such a great program," coach Tom Crean said. "That team was every bit as good as what we thought they were."

Consider the latest chapter in a rivalry that's gone cold for the past four years one to remember.

A 12-2 run put Indiana (27-7) up 62-52 with 4 minutes, 10 seconds to go. Ulis (27 points, three assists), refusing to let Kentucky (27-9) go down quietly, had an 8-0 run of his own, pulling the Wildcats back within three with 35 seconds left. But four free throws from freshman Thomas Bryant (19 points, five rebounds) and Ferrell locked the outcome.

The premier matchup of the day was a battle of will, one Indiana won despite three players going down with injuries in the course of the 40 minutes.

"The moment was not too big for anyone," Hoosiers senior Max Bielfeldt said of Saturday's next step. "Everyone is ready to check in at any time."

Then, after Bryant and junior Troy Williams were handicapped by two fouls apiece, Robert Johnson landed awkwardly from a layup attempt with Kentucky up 25-22 about five minutes before halftime. Johnson, who missed four games because of an injury to the same ankle before returning for the NCAA tournament opener vs. Chattanooga on Thursday, returned to the floor for the second half but didn't play again.

The Hoosiers rebounded to lead 33-32 despite going just 3-for-11 from three-point range, picking up 11 fouls in a game where whistles were rampant and losing the rebound battle by five. But in the second, the troubles continued for Indiana.

Freshman O.G. Anunoby appeared bothered by a hip and limped to the bench early in the second half, returning but playing with a slight limp. Then with just over 12 minutes to play, Juwan Morgan fell and hurt his shoulder, a lingering issue for the freshman forward this season. He also didn't return.

But Ferrell and Bryant were primed to take control, lifting the team on their shoulders down the stretch and advancing Indiana to the Sweet 16 for the third time in five years.

"Coach Crean has stayed on us throughout this entire year," Ferrell said. "He saw our potential, and when we had a rough start he stuck with us and he kept getting on us every single day just because he saw the greatness in us."