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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: The right (non) move on pot sales ... Jeffrey Gillespie: Evaluating the Trump bump ... Family Fun Bike Ride set for Saturday ... Our View: The right (non) move on pot sales ... Jeffrey Gillespie: Evaluating the Trump bump ... Family Fun Bike Ride set for Saturday ... NCAA tournament: Kentucky, Wisconsin set for Final Four rematch With everything at stake for Kentucky, the Wildcats stayed calm and made just enough plays to keep their unblemished season intact. Comment By The Associated Press DailyTidings.com By The Associated Press Posted Mar. 29, 2015 at 12:01 AM By The Associated Press Posted Mar. 29, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News CLEVELAND — With everything at stake for Kentucky, the Wildcats stayed calm and made just enough plays to keep their unblemished season intact. The shot at history and another NCAA title are still in reach. Andrew Harrison made two free throws with six seconds remaining, and the unbeaten Wildcats made their last nine shots to survive their toughest test to date, coming back after trailing for much of the second half to defeat Notre Dame 68-66 on Saturday night in the Midwest Regional final. The Wildcats (38-0), seeking to become college basketball's first undefeated champion in 39 years, advanced to the Final Four in Indianapolis next week, where they will meet Wisconsin — a rematch of last year's semifinal. "We know our will to win," said Aaron Harrison, who hit a crucial 3-pointer. "And it just showed us we never give up, and we fight to the end just like any other team." These Wildcats are not like any other team. The Fighting Irish (32-6) came within seconds of shocking the tournament's overwhelming favorite. Notre Dame, with a rich history of stunning upsets in football and basketball, wasn't done until Jerian Grant's double-clutch 3-pointer from the left corner was long. When the ball harmlessly hit the floor and the horn sounded, Kentucky's players hugged in celebration knowing they had ducked disaster. The Cats had used up one of their nine lives. "We didn't play very well and Notre Dame, I thought, controlled the whole thing, but we made the plays," Kentucky coach John Calipari said. "We figured out a way to win it. We've had other tests, but we have a will to win." Karl-Anthony Towns scored 25 — 17 after halftime — to lead Kentucky. Zach Auguste scored 20, Steve Vasturia 16 and Grant 15 for the third-seeded Fighting Irish, playing in their first regional final in 36 years. There was no doubt Notre Dame belonged. The ACC tournament champions controlled the tempo and weren't intimated by the Wildcats and their collection of high school All-Americans and soon-to-be NBA millionaires. The Fighting Irish took the fight to Kentucky and nearly pulled off another one of those shockers. "We really thought we had a great chance of beating them, and I thought we displayed that," Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said. "But I think you've got to give them credit, they made some big plays, they made some timely 3-point shots at key times." Calipari insisted on Friday his team was not perfect, only unbeaten and that any team left in the tournament was capable of toppling the top Cats. Notre Dame was right there. "It's tough," said Grant, who returned to Notre Dame this season after being dismissed for academics. "Just to be so close to making history, from doing something so special and just like that it's over. We felt we played well enough to win." By The Associated Press DailyTidings.com By The Associated Press Posted Mar. 29, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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