Big Blue blows by South Carolina in final minutes for a 72-63 victory Tuesday night at the CLA (AUDIO)

Kentucky 72-South Carolina 63 Game Summary

• South Carolina owned the lead for nearly the first 12 minutes of the game, with the largest spread seven points. The Wildcats started 1-8 from the floor while the Gamecocks hit four of their first seven shots.
• A Nolan Kapich three put the Gamecocks up 12-5. They then missed 13 of their next 14 shots from the floor while Kentucky started to find the range. The Wildcats made eight of their next 14 field goal attempts, capping their run with three straight three-pointers to open a 22-15 lead with 6:39 left in the half.
• The Wildcats held on to that seven point lead the rest of half for a 28-21 lead. The 21 points were the fewest for the Gamecocks in a half this season.
• The Gamecocks got off the deck start the second half scoring the first seven points to tie the game at 28-28. They stayed in touch with the Wildcats over the next five minutes, and when Meechie Johnson hit a pair of free throws, the game was tied 38-38 with 13:08 remaining. The game was also tied at 41 and at 48.
• Kentucky took the lead for good on a layup by Otega Oweh with 8:06 to play. That sparked a 9-2 run by the Wildcats for a 57-50 advantage. The Gamecocks responded with a 7-2 run capped by a Mike Sharavjamts three,and the lead was down to 59-57 with 2:52 left.
• Kentucky responded with the knockout blow, a 10-0 run during with the Gamecocks missed five straight shots and suffered a turnover. The Wildcats led 69-57 with 36 seconds remaining, and the chant of Go Big Blue rolled through the CLA as the Gamecock fans streamed out.
• The Gamecocks shot 37% for the game, including 8-29 from three. They were badly beaten on the boards 48-28, including 18 offensive rebounds for UK which turned into 14 second chance points.
• USC offset the rebounding disadvantage some by forcing 15 turnovers for 13 points. That matches the Wildcats high mark for turnovers in an SEC game this season.
• The Gamecocks had just nine assists on their 21 made baskets compared to Kentucky’s 15 assists on 26 baskets.
• Meechie Johnson led USC with 18 points. Denzel Aberdeen had 19 points for Kentucky, including four three-pointers.
• The 72 points by Kentucky equals the Wildcats second lowest output of the season as they broke a three game losing streak.
• The Gamecocks played without starting forward Myles Stute who is in concussion protocol.
• South Carolina is now 12-16 overall and 3-12 in the SEC. The Gamecocks have clinched a losing regular season record. They will pay at Georgia on Saturday.
• Kentucky is now 18-10 and 9-6 in the SEC. The Wildcats will host Vanderbilt on Saturday.

Lamont Paris Postgame

Kentucky