Not that the seniors didn't contribute. Nick Bradford scored 15 points and grabbed 8 boards and scored 7 straight points mid-way through the second half after MU had trimmed a 14-point Jayhawk lead to only 4 points at the eight-minute mark.

Yet, on a day when flowers were tossed on the court for seniors Nick Bradford, Ashante Johnson, Lester Earl and Terry Nooner, it was the freshmen

Missouri had eight 3-pointers in the first half and twice led by as many as six before the Jayhakws pulled away for a 45-42 halfime lead. Missouri went six minutes without scoring during a 14-2 Kansas run opening the second half. The Tigers hit only three of their first 14 shots of the second half and Kansas appeared to be pulling away for an easy win until Hafer and Dooling halted the momentum.

Hafer hit two 3-pointers and a short jumper, scoring eight consecutive points during a 12-2 run that saw the Tigers shave a 63-49 deficit to 65-61 midway through the second half. But then came Bradford, a 6-7 senior playing his last game at Allen Fieldhouse, scoring seven points in a row to give the Jayhawks a 72-63 lead with 6:42 remaining.

Dooling and Jeff Hafer hit consecutive 3-pointers to launch a 13-2 Missouri rally after Nick Bradford's free throw had given the Jayhawks a 77-67 lead with 4:20 left. T.J. Soyoye's free throw at the 1:40 mark gave the Tigers their first lead in the second half. (next possessions?) After Soyoye's free throws, Kansas inbounded the ball with 39 seconds remaining. With about 15 second left, Hinrich took the ball near the top of the key, drove around the right side to near the baseline and hit Drew Gooden, who had established inside position on Hafer, with a nifty bounce pass. Gooden was free for an easy layup, but was tackled, literally, by Hafer, who drew an intentional foul with 12 seconds left.

Gooden, with the game riding on his shoulders, bounced the first shot off the rim and in for his 19th point and a tie game. The second free throw was nothing but net and the Jayhawks led by one. Thanks to Hafer's exuberant foul, the Jayhawks took the ball out of bounds under their own basket. They had to call a timeout on their first attempt. On their second, they got the ball inbounds to Collison behind the arc. He gave the ball up to Hinrich, who was promptly fouled with 7.* seconds left. Kirk's free throws were almost as critical as were Goodens. If he makes both, the worst KU can do is overtime. Hinrich burried them both, capping a game in which he dished 6 assists, scored 11 points, was under the gun on defense all day trying to stop the Tiger's potent dribble penetration threats from Rush and Dooling and played all but five minutes.

It was senior night, but it was fitting that it was Gooden and Hinrich who went to the line at the end. Those two freshman stepped up as strongly and as determinedly as any Jayhawk players.

Gooden was 6-of-8 in the first half and finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds for the Jayhawks, who will meet 12th-seeded Kansas State on Thursday in the first round of the Big 12 tournament. Bradford had 15 points and Nick Collison scored 14.