NCAA East: Kansas comeback ends in OT win

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Nick Bradford scored 14 points and had a key block in the waning seconds of overtime as Kansas spoiled DePaul's return to the NCAA tournament with an 81-77 victory in the East

Saturday, March 18th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Nick Bradford scored 14 points and had a key block in the waning seconds of overtime as Kansas spoiled DePaul's return to the NCAA tournament with an 81-77 victory in the East Regional on Friday night

Kenny Gregory made 11-of-12 field-goal attempts and matched his season-high with 22 points to help the eighth-seeded Jayhawks (24-9) win their first-round game for the 17th consecutive year.

DePaul (21-12) was making its first appearance in the tournament since 1992. Quentin Richardson and Paul McPherson had 21 points apiece, but it wasn't enough to give the Blue Demons their first victory in the event since 1989.

Befitting a contest pitting teams seeded eighth and ninth, there were 17 ties, 11 lead changes and no lead of more than six points.

Kansas' Kenny Gregory landed his team in the second round with a win over DePaul.

The outcome was in doubt until Bradford blocked a 3-point shot by Richardson with three seconds left and Kansas up by three. The Jayhawks' Lester Earl grabbed the loose ball, was fouled and made one free throw to account for the final margin.

Kansas shot 57 percent but hurt itself with 19 turnovers that the Blue Demons converted into 19 points.

Kansas was held scoreless on its first four possessions of the extra period, clearing the way for the Blue Demons to build their lead to six points twice, the last at 77-71 on a free throw by McPherson with 2:23 left.

The Jayhawks scored the final 10 points. Gregory evened it at 77 when he stole an errant pass and went the length of the court for a dunk. Gregory was fouled on the play but missed the free throw, but Kansas got the rebound, leading to a driving layup by Bradford that put the Jayhawks ahead to stay at 79-77 with 48 seconds left.

Richardson hit his first three field-goal attempts and had eight points in the opening three-plus minutes before twisting his left ankle. Richardson was sidelined briefly, but when he returned, he spent the rest of the game limping up and down the floor, wincing and adjusting the tension in the laces on his left shoe.

Gregory hit his first seven shots before a 14-foot jumper from the left wing banged over the rim with 10:32 left in the game. He didn't miss again, and his block of a short baseline jumper by Richardson with 46 seconds left kept the score tied it 70 and helped force overtime.

Richardson had a chance to prevent the extra period, but his 12-foot jumper bounced long, and McPherson missed the tip.