No. 19 Kentucky transformed a excessive share of pictures from lengthy vary and took benefit of factors off turnovers to complete the common season with a 91-83 win over No. 15 Missouri.
The ten Quad 1 wins solely path No. 8 Michigan State and No. 1 Auburn for the most in Division I, in accordance with ESPN school basketball insider Jeff Borzello. Kentucky added to its program report with its eighth win over a high 15 opponent this season, tying the NCAA report.
Kentucky shot 48.2 % from the ground and 11-of-20 from three-point vary. Senior Koby Brea was clicking early with this lengthy jumper to increase the Wildcats’ benefit to 18-13 with about eight minutes to play within the first half.
Brea stayed locked in with this triple late within the first half to present Kentucky a 10-point lead.
The factors off turnovers have been on full show, particularly within the second half. Junior Otega Oweh bought the steal and layup on the opposite finish to present Kentucky a 66-51 lead with below 10 minutes to play.
Brea had 17 factors (3-of-5 3PT) whereas Oweh (22 factors) posted his fifth 20-point sport within the final seven contests. His three steals have been key to Kentucky’s 20 factors off 10 Missouri giveaways.
Whereas Missouri completed the sport with 11 triples, it was a disappointing finish to the common season for the Tigers, who’ve misplaced three in a row and 4 of their final 5. Junior Mark Mitchell had a team-high 22 factors (8-of-14 FG), however senior Caleb Grill was held to eight factors regardless of coming into the sport averaging 14.4 factors per sport.
The Tigers (21-10, 10-8 SEC) — who didn’t win a convention sport final season — have accomplished a outstanding year-to-year turnaround. Nonetheless, with 5 of their final six opponents scoring north of 90 factors, they have to play higher protection if they will flip their struggles round.
Kentucky (21-10, 10-8 SEC) goes into the SEC Match with back-to-back wins and a few momentum regardless of battling accidents all season. The Wildcats proceed to show they will rating, however their protection — which nonetheless gave up 83 within the loss — goes to dictate how far they go in March.
