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Landry Fields scored 23 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and Jeremy Green added 18, including five 3-pointers, as the Stanford men's basketball team pushed No. 5 Kentucky before falling, 73-65, in overtime of the championship game of the Cancun Challenge in Mexico on Wednesday night.

"It's a disappointing loss but we see light at the end of the tunnel," Fields said. "I am so proud of my guys. The young guys stepped up."

The Cardinal (3-3) returns to Maples Pavilion and hosts Portland State on Sunday night at 7 p.m. in a nonconference contest.

"I think we made a big leap with the win over Virginia and the loss to U.K.," said Fields. "I think we grew in all aspects of the game. I'm excited to see what we'll do in the next few games."

Fields, who was named to the all-tournament team with Green, recorded his third consecutive double-double and has reached double figures in scoring in all six games. Green has reached double figures in five of his six games.

Kentucky improved to 3-0 against the Cardinal in their first meeting since the 1998 Final Four. The Wildcats won that one in overtime too.

Stanford was within 66-65 with less than a minute to play in the overtime period before the Wildcats (6-0) exploded for a 3-pointer, a pair of free throws and a slam dunk at the final buzzer.

"I thought we got better," Stanford coach Johnny Dawkins said. "Our journey is about every time we step on the court to improve. It's tough to swallow improving on a loss."

Fields made two free throws with less than 30 seconds to play in regulation to give Stanford a 63-61 lead but Kentucky freshman sensation John Wall responded with two free throws with three seconds left to send it into overtime.

"To be honest I thought (Andrew) Zimmerman stepped up and took a charge but you have to take what they give you," Fields said. "I was hoping he'd miss one but there's a reason he was a top recruit."

The Wildcats opened a 19-11 lead early but Stanford scored 11 unanswered points to take the lead and eventually build a 38-32 halftime advantage.

Kentucky took its first lead of the second half with 6:35 remaining in regulation, but the Cardinal stuck with it and regained the lead when Fields hit a pair of foul shots with 3:30 left.

"I think the kids can see we can compete with anyone," Dawkins said. "We have to follow up from this with more inspired practices."

Fields played all 45 minutes, while Green played 43 minutes.

— PA Weekly Online Sports