Compiled by Tony Neely
UK Athletics
KENTUCKY AT TEXAS TECH
UNITED SUPERMARKETS ARENA | LUBBOCK, TEXAS JAN. 25, 2020 ATTENDANCE: 14,763
Final Score: No. 15/14 Kentucky 76, No. 18 Texas Tech 74
Team Records and Series Notes
Kentucky is 15-4 overall and winner of seven of its last eight games, including 3-1 in true road games. UK finished the regular season 10-3 against nonconference opponents, including 4-2 vs. Power 5 conference schools.
Texas Tech is 12-7 and tonight’s game ended a 54-game home nonconference winning streak. Texas Tech had not lost at home to a nonconference opponent since losing to LSU on December 18, 2013. UK leads the series 5-0, including 2-0 in Lubbock.
This was the first meeting since December 1994 and only the second meeting between the two schools in Lubbock.UK is 4-3 in the Big 12/SEC Challenge and has won the last three in the event.
Next up: Kentucky returns to Southeastern Conference action Wednesday at home vs. Vanderbilt. Game time is 6:30 p.m. and the game will be telecast on the SEC Network.
Player Notes
Playing a career-high 39 minutes, Nick Richards collected 25 points and 14 rebounds, his eighth double-double in 19 games. He had one double-double in 74 games prior to this season. He shot the ball efficiently – 7 of 10 from the field, 11 of 14 free throws, including 5 of 5 in the overtime. 11 of 14 free throws are career highs for both categories. Richards scored in double figures for the eighth straight game and is averaging 17.6 points and 9.8 rebounds over the last eight games. UK is 11-0 this season when he has eight or more rebounds, 4-0 when he gets at least 20 points.
Playing a career-high 42 minutes, Immanuel Quickley had 21 points and six rebounds, highlighted by 4 of 8 on 3-point shots. He’s averaging 17.6 points over the last eight games, including 22 of 45 on 3-point shots.
Playing a career-high-tying 43 minutes, Ashton Hagans had six points, three rebounds, seven assists and three steals.He extended his five-or-more-assists streak to 16 straight games, the best streak since Tyler Ulis did it 24 straight games in 2015-16.
Coach John Calipari
Coaches and support staffs from both teams wore Mike Slive Foundation lapel pins, bringing awareness to the fight against prostate cancer and honoring the late Southeastern Conference commissioner. Calipari is now 320-75 at UK. He has a 765-215 all-time on-court record. UK is 62-32 vs. Associated Press Top 25 competition under Calipari, including 3-1 this season.UK is 54-28 under Calipari when both teams are ranked. This was Calipari’s first game against Texas Tech.
Team Notes
Despite the closeness of the game, UK never trailed in the second half or overtime.UK shot 43.6% from the field and is now 14-1 this season when outshooting the opponent. Three-point shooting was a key difference-maker. UK made 7 of 15 from long range (46.7%) while Tech made 3 of 19 (15.8%). Entering the game at 76.7% at the foul line, the Wildcats had another solid performance at 84% (21 of 25).
UK won the rebounding 38-32. UK is 13-1 this season when outrebounding the opponent.The Wildcats overcame a season-high 20 turnovers and Tech won points off turnovers 25-9. Kentucky led by 10 points in the second half. UK is now 275-7 under Calipari when leading by at least 10 points at any time in the contest.Kentucky is now 61-49 all-time in overtime games, including 2-0 this season.On Dec. 28 this season, UK outlasted Louisville 78-70 in Rupp Arena. UK’s last OT win in a true road game was 70-64 in two OTs at Texas A&M, Feb. 2, 2013.
The starting lineup consisted of Ashton Hagans, Tyrese Maxey, Immanuel Quickley, EJ Montgomery and Nick Richards for the fifth time this season. The Wildcats are 4-1 with the lineup. Keion Brooks Jr. was UK’s first sub at the 15:47 mark.
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