AMES, Iowa -- Missouri's Zaire Taylor prefers having the ball in his hands with the clock running down and the game on the line because, as he sees it, it clears his mind.
Taylor proved yet again Tuesday night that he's at his best when the Tigers need him the most.
Taylor drove the length of the floor and banked in a layup at the buzzer, leading Missouri past Iowa State 69-67 in overtime.
It was fourth game-winning shot of Taylor's career, and it allowed the Tigers (22-8, 10-5 Big 12) to escape with a win when a loss would have smudged their NCAA tournament resume.
Taylor beat Kansas and Texas with game winners last season, and he buried a deep 3 with 33 seconds left to lead the Tigers past Kansas State on Jan. 9.
"It's do or die. There's no time to think. The clock's running down," Taylor said. "When it's the end of the game, the only time you've got is to make the play or not make the play."
J.T. Tiller tied a season high with 17 points and Marcus Denmon added 16 for the Tigers, who won for the fourth time in five games.
-- AP
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