| |
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- All season long, Kentucky has
struggled to put the ball in the basket while its rebounding and
defense have been just good enough to earn victories in close
games.
That trend continued Saturday as Kentucky (No. 16 ESPN/USA Today, No. 18 AP) shot a season-low 35.2
percent, including a dismal 16 percent from 3-point range, but
dominated the boards to hold off Arkansas 60-55.
Freshman Keith Bogans scored 22 points and Jamaal Magloire added
15 points and 12 rebounds for the Wildcats (20-8, 10-4 Southeastern
Conference), who won at least 20 games for the 10th consecutive
season.
"I hit a couple of shots early in the game and got my
confidence up," Bogans said. "We've been shooting well in
practice. In games, it's just not been there for us as a team."
Despite its offensive woes, Kentucky outrebounded Arkansas
45-28, including a 21-6 margin at the offensive end. The Wildcats
also held the Razorbacks (14-13, 6-8) to 40 percent shooting from
the field.
"We played great defense," said Tayshaun Prince, who scored
only eight points but grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds. "Our
shots aren't falling, but our defensive intensity allowed us to get
the win."
Bogans hit six of 12 shots and Magloire four of nine while the
rest of the team made a combined nine of 33. As a team, Kentucky
made only four of 25 from 3-point range.
The Razorbacks didn't fare much better, hitting nine of 23 from
3-point range but only 12 of 30 inside the arc.
"To dominate the boards like we did was a big key, but the
biggest thing is that we got good balance from Jamaal, Tayshaun and
Keith," Kentucky coach Tubby Smith said. "Our shooting has been
up and down all year long. Until we start shooting consistently
well, we're going to have to answer questions about it.
"We play good defense and play unselfishly, all the things it
takes to be a championship team. We just need to get shots to
fall."
Freshman Blake Eddins led the Razorbacks with 12 points. Joe
Johnson, the SEC's top freshman scorer, was held to 10 points -- six
below his season average -- on 4-of-11 shooting.
"I'm real proud of our kids," said Arkansas coach Nolan
Richardson, who has only one senior and one junior on his roster.
"We executed and played good defense. The only place we were very
weak was in the board department."
The Razorbacks' 3-point shooting kept them from being blown out
early. Arkansas made six of 12 from 3-point range in the first half
while Bogans hit his first two and then the Wildcats made only one
of their next 10.
Kentucky led 18-9 midway through the first half. Teddy Gipson
and Carl Baker each hit 3-pointers during a 9-0 Arkansas run to tie
the game at 18 with 5:30 to play in the half.
Chris Walker's 3-pointer gave the Razorbacks their first lead,
25-23 with 1:15 to play. Then J.P. Blevins hit a 3 with 33 seconds
remaining gave the Wildcats a 28-27 halftime lead.
"We had some good shots," Smith said. "I thought Jules
(Camara) had some great looks and Saul (Smith) had some wide-open
looks. Thankfully for us, J.P. hit some big shots for us."
The Razorbacks took their largest lead, 42-38, on Gipson's
three-point play with 14:33 remaining. The lead bounced back and
forth until Bogans' steal and dunk gave the Wildcats a 52-50 lead
with 5:25 to play.
Leading 53-51, Saul Smith's only basket put Kentucky up for good
with 3:18 remaining. Magloire, who had his third consecutive
double-double, made four free throws in the final 19 seconds to
seal the game.
"Magloire hitting those four free throws ... that is what a
senior has to do," Richardson said.
Magloire made seven of 10 free throws and Bogans eight of 12 as
the Wildcats shot 32 foul shots to the Razorbacks' seven.
"When a team shoots 32 free throws and hits 18 and we shoot
seven and two of those are technicals, there is the game right
there," Richardson said. "We can't beat anybody on the road when
that happens."
| |
ALSO SEE
Mens College Basketball Scoreboard
Arkansas Clubhouse
Kentucky Clubhouse
|
