• Feb 3, 2018
    • 2 min read

POSTGAME NOTES: Missouri Defeats Kentucky 69-60 For First Time In History



UK MEN’S BASKETBALL POSTGAME NOTES (Provided by UK Athletics)

KENTUCKY AT MISSOURI

MIZZOU ARENA | COLUMBIA, MO.

FEB. 3, 2018 ATTENDANCE: 15,061

Final Score: Missouri 69, #21/22 Kentucky 60

Team Records and Series Notes

  • Kentucky ended a three-game win streak and is 17-6 overall, 6-4 in the Southeastern Conference. Missouri is 15-8 overall, 5-5 in league play.

  • Kentucky leads the series 10-1, including 3-1 in Columbia.

  • Next for the Wildcats: Kentucky plays host to Tennessee on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN.

In the First Half

  • Kentucky’s starting lineup featured Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (pictured in an earlier game this season), Hamidou Diallo, PJ Washington, Kevin Knox and Nick Richards for the ninth time this season. UK is 6-3 with this lineup.

  • Kentucky led 9-6 early but went cold from the field, missing 13 straight field-goal attempts as Missouri went on a 10-0 run for a 16-9 lead. The Tigers led the remainder of the game.

  • UK closed within 20-18 before Missouri went on an 8-0 run and went to intermission with a 28-18 lead.

  • The 18 points is UK’s fewest in a half in the Coach John Calipari era.

  • It is the fewest for the Wildcats since scoring 16 vs. West Virginia on Nov. 29, 2008.

  • UK shot 20 percent in the first half (6 of 30), UK’s worst shooting half of the season.

  • It is UK’s lowest field-goal percentage in a half since 17.2 percent vs. South Carolina on March 1, 2014.

  • UK is 6-4 this season when trailing or tied at halftime.

In the Second Half

  • Kentucky scored on its first six possessions and closed within 33-32.

  • Missouri responded with eight points in less than a minute to rebuild the cushion to 41-32.

  • Missouri extended the lead to as many as 14 points at 52-38 and 54-40.

  • Kentucky extended its streak of 1,036 consecutive games with a 3-pointer when Wenyen Gabriel connected from long range with 2:51 left in the game.

  • Kentucky closed within five at 65-60 with 41.8 seconds remaining but got no closer.

Team Notes

  • Kentucky’s 60 points is a season low.

  • UK shot a season-low 31.3 percent from the field, including 10 percent from 3-point range.

  • Kentucky outrebounded Missouri 40-36. The Wildcats are now 15-2 this season when outrebounding the opponent.

  • UK claimed 20 offensive rebounds, one shy of the season high, but was only able to manufacture 11 points from the second chances.

  • Missouri shot just 30.4 percent from 3-point range today, 7 of 23. UK entered the game fourth in the nation in 3-point defense at 28.8 percent.

  • UK opponents also are attempting 3-pointers at a record rate. Opponents are averaging 25.6 long balls per game, well ahead of the record of 23.2 3-pointers attempted in the 2007-08 season.

Player Notes

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Wildcats with 15 points and six assists. It’s his eighth game with six or more assists this season.

  • Jarred Vanderbilt totaled a career-high eight points and 10 rebounds in only 16 minutes of action.

  • Vanderbilt has 42 rebounds in 72 minutes this season, an average of one carom per 1.7 minutes of action, an outstanding ratio.


Photo by Ron Morrow