Jahshire Hardnett helps UMKC prevail in triple overtime over Seattle

Talk about a hard-fought conference opener.

UMKC’s WAC opener against Seattle on Thursday night at Swinney Center was about as good as it gets.

Jahshire Hardnett scored on a jumper with 1 minute, 12 seconds left in the third overtime and the Kangaroos went up for good, prevailing 90-86 in three overtimes. They needed two buzzer-beaters to get there.

Hardnett had put the Kangaroos on his back in the first overtime. He scored 12 of his team’s 15 points in the 5-minute OT, including a three-pointer that tied it up 71-71 as time was running out. Hardnett had three three-pointers and an and-one bucket for 12 points in the period.

Hardnett scored a bucket in the second OT and had four points in the third overtime. He finished with a career-high 28 points (10 in regulation). He also had five rebounds and four assists for the game.

Jordan Giles had 24 points and seven rebounds for the Kangaroos, who won their third straight and improved to 8-7 on the season. Seattle dropped to 7-9.

UMKC had to mount a rally to even get in the game.

The ‘Roos trailed 33-23 at the half but came out hot in the second half. Midway through the half It seemed as if UMKC might take control of the game, but the Kangaroos could not fend off the Redhawks. Neither team scored in the last 3:10 of regulation, and the game went into overtime knotted up 56-56.

It looked as if the Redhawks would win the day in OT, as they scored the first six points. But Hardnett’s three with 2:36 left started a stretch that ended with Hardnett’s three from about 30 feet with under 1 second left that tied it 71-71.

The teams traded buckets in the second OT, but Javan White’s basket at the buzzer for UMKC made it 79-79 and sent it to the third overtime.

Two free throws by Seattle put the Redhawks up 86-85, but a Hardnett jumper with 1:12 put the ‘Roos up 87-86 and they held on from there.

Morgan Means finished with a team-high 21 points for Seattle.

UMKC finished 10-20 on three-pointers (Hardnett was 4 of 7), while the Redhawks made 6 of 20 three-pointers.

UMKC was outrebounded 48-39.

The Kangaroos return to action on Saturday with a home game against Utah Valley at 7 p.m.

This story was originally published January 2, 2020 at 10:29 PM.