Big Z's Explosive First Half Sparks Kentucky to 105-96 Win over Georgia
It was a very memorable Saturday night at Rupp Arena as 20,283 fans anxiously saw 7-foot-2 freshman Zvonimir Ivisic make his splashy debut in the first half as a Kentucky Wildcat.
Ivisic finished the game with 13 points, including 3 of 4 three-pointers, in 16 minutes of action as the Wildcats defeated Georgia 105-96. He also tied for the team high in rebounds with five and had a team-best three blocked shots.
"I was nervous at the beginning while sitting on the bench and before in the locker room," admitted Ivisic. "When I got in, I was cool.”
Leading UK's scoring attack was senior Tre Mitchell who hit a season-high 23 points. Senior Antonio Reeves made 21 points, his ninth 20-point game of the season.
Kentucky freshman D.J. Wagner recorded his first collegiate double-double with 18 points and a season-high 10 assists. Freshman Reed Sheppard was deadly from the field, hitting 4 of 5 three-pointers for 12 points. He also had five assists and two steals.
Hot-shooting Kentucky, who hit 62 percent of its shots, once had a very comfortable lead of 28 points in the second half before the Bulldogs rallied to make the game much closer.
UK outrebounded Georgia 31-29.
Leading Georgia was Jabri Abdur-Rahim who gunned in a game-high 34 points.
Kentucky begins a two-game road swing Tuesday at South Carolina. Game
time is 7 p.m. and it will be televised on the SEC Network.
