Hardnett helps UMKC hold off Seattle 90-86 in 3 OTs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jahshire Hardnett came off the bench to score a career-high 28 points and Missouri-Kansas City outlasted Seattle 90-86 in triple overtime in a Western Athletic Conference opener on Thursday night.

Terrell Brown hit two free throws with 3:10 left in regulation to pull Seattle even at 56. The two teams went scoreless from there to force overtime. Hardnett nailed a 3-pointer with 1 second remaining in the first overtime to force the second. The game was tied at 79 after two extra periods. In the third OT, Riley Grigsby made two free throws with 1:30 left to put the Redhawks up 86-85, but Hardnett answered with a jumper to give the Kangaroos (8-7) the lead for good. Rob Whitfield held the Redhawks (7-9) at bay by making 3 of 4 free throws in the final 19 seconds.

Jordan Giles added 24 points on 8-of-11 shooting with seven rebounds for UMKC, while Javan White scored 17 with nine boards.

Morgan Means topped Seattle with 21 points, but he made just 5 of 17 shots, including 1 of 8 from 3-point range. Means hit all 10 of his free throws, but he turned the ball over on the Redhawks' final possession. Terrell Brown scored 20 on 5-of-21 shooting.