By Peggy Gilligan
Kentucky Wins SEC Opener Over Missouri 71-59
The Wildcats were able to start 2020 with a win over the Missouri Tigers on Saturday at Rupp Arena with 20,396 in attendance. The Cats were out to a bit of a slow start down 5-2 at the first media timeout. Nick Richards was the only Kentucky scorer in the first eight minutes of the half with nine points and three rebounds. The Cats took their first lead at 19-17 with 8:05 left in the first half after a three point shot by Quickley his first of four in the game. Kentucky was able the stretch the halftime score to 31-26.
Nick Richards lead the team at halftime with 17 points and 8 rebounds in 18 minutes of playing times. Quickley followed with six points, one rebound, and one assist. First half stats for the Cats were 43.5% from the field, 22.2% from three point range and 90% from the free throw line. The Wildcats also out rebounded Missouri 17-14, also lead in blocks 4-2 and assists 8-5.
In the second half the Cats never trailed stretching the lead to 16 at one point. Richards notched his 6thDouble-Double of the year early in the second half and finishing with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks for the game. Immanuel Quickley ended the game as the leading scorer with 23 points, making all nine free throws. Maxey and Hagans were next in scoring with eight and seven respectively. Coach Calipari stated in the post game press conference that Ashton Hagans who left late in the game only had a low ankle sprain and should be fine. He was thankful it wasn’t an Achilles problem as first thought.
Kentucky hits the road for their next SEC game on Tuesday January 7th against the Georgia Bulldogs. The game will be broadcast on ESPN at 9 PM.
