:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62875334/herro_uk_athletics.0.jpg)
It wasn’t easy but, the No. 12 Kentucky Wildcats pulled out a gutsy win over No. 14 Auburn on the road winning by a final score of 82-80.
The Cats survive in Auburn. pic.twitter.com/buOcLoO24J
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 19, 2019
Kentucky led the game by double digits with under ten minutes remaining but, Auburn clawed back to take the lead with less than 30 seconds remaining.
However, clutch free throws by Tyler Herro put a bow on a huge road win for the Wildcats who improve to 14-3 on the season with a conference record of 4-1.
Herro was the player of the game for Kentucky as he dropped 20 points with four assists and three rebounds.
Keldon Johnson also had a big day dropping 20 points a game after he was held scoreless against Georgia.
For Auburn, it was all about their superstar Bryce Brown. Kentucky held Brown to only three points in the first half but, the superstar woke up dropping 25 points in the second half to finish with a game-high 28.
The Cats now have their biggest true road win of the season as the momentum continues to shift in the right direction heading towards their meeting with No. 7 Kansas next Saturday.
Here are the best reactions of Kentucky’s thrilling win over Auburn from social media.
I don't care how many times someone explains it to me, Auburn being the Tigers and also chanting War Eagle is silly. Pick one mascot.
— Curtis Burch (@curtisburch) January 19, 2019
It’s mandatory Reid Travis scores our first basket in every game
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) January 19, 2019
Lol. Hagans to Keldon: "Wake the ---- up"
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) January 19, 2019
Turnovers not good but a four point lead. Finally a decent start.
— Aaron Gershon (@agershon99) January 19, 2019
A few (not many at all) boos for EJ Montgomery (former Auburn commit) checking in.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) January 19, 2019
Keldon almost killed an Auburn basketball player
— Brent Wainscott (@BrentW_KSR) January 19, 2019
Good to know Keldon Johnson listened to Ashton Hagans' advice.
— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) January 19, 2019
Don't know any of them, but I'm sure they're awful. https://t.co/kTWDZQ1ZGP
— Not Jerry Tipton (@NotJerryTipton) January 19, 2019
Told you. https://t.co/DL3qCnIg2M
— Not Jerry Tipton (@NotJerryTipton) January 19, 2019
Great sign by the Auburn fans. pic.twitter.com/5cucVtqtaO
— Anthony Wireman (@awireman) January 19, 2019
Here's my analysis from the first 12 minutes of Kentucky-Auburn: They've both played awful.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) January 19, 2019
ESPN crew talking about Zion Williamson more than they have Kentucky thus far. Surprising.
— John Morgan Francis (@MonJorgan) January 19, 2019
Live look at Bruce Pearl. pic.twitter.com/qPrq0fK7gS
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) January 19, 2019
I hope Hagans goes to Auburn’s student section and pops his jersey after the game pic.twitter.com/ExDnpnJxLj
— KY Clips (@KY_Clips) January 19, 2019
BREAKING: What Bruce said is not true. https://t.co/lkUBOjfgVi
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) January 19, 2019
I checked, Ole Miss was the first sellout since Jan 21 of last year. 9,321 seat arena. The restrooms at Rupp hold that many! #BBN
— Jeffrey A. H. Poole (@CatCaptain16) January 19, 2019
Keldon Johnson: awake.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) January 19, 2019
We are at our best when PJ and Keldon are engaged with the rest of the team #BBN
— KY Clips (@KY_Clips) January 19, 2019
Ref: "Moving screen!"
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) January 19, 2019
Pearl: "Ugh"
Auburn player: Three after the whistle
Pearl: "HORRIBLE CALL"
Quiet them, Keldon.
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 19, 2019
Did I just see two Aubrurn players do a choreographed hand-shake for a saved ball when down 11?
— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) January 19, 2019
It's not always pretty but I really like this Kentucky teams ability to stay poised and score late in the shot clock.
— Shawn Smith (@gbbcountry) January 19, 2019
Tyler Herro, ladies and gentlemen. https://t.co/Rv4Qx0Qsyh
— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) January 19, 2019
THIS. GAME. pic.twitter.com/JbMlL3yt0w
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) January 19, 2019
Absolutely BOGUS call
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) January 19, 2019
"WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!" -- The refs.
— Not Jerry Tipton (@NotJerryTipton) January 19, 2019
That's a HORRIBLE flagrant 1 call. One of the worst I've seen.
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) January 19, 2019
Who else hates Bruce pearl?
— Barstool UK (@BarstoolUK) January 19, 2019
AUBURN FOR THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/KkMAkUnVtY
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 19, 2019
herro gone save the day!
— Aj Rose Jr. (@ajrose_10) January 19, 2019
Auburn misses go-ahead floater. pic.twitter.com/a0RNZdGW4J
— Tres Terrell (@TerrellTres) January 19, 2019
Phewwwwwwwwwwwwwww
— Aaron Gershon (@agershon99) January 19, 2019
Kentucky’s Tyler Herro, right before the ref handed him the ball for the go-ahead free throw in the final minute at Auburn pic.twitter.com/zvEUSCNwt2
— Eric Crawford (@ericcrawford) January 19, 2019
Vitale: "What tough luck for Auburn." (Indeed. If you discount the 7 HORSE shots they've banked/rimmed/bounced in today for about 20 points.)
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) January 19, 2019
Cats win 82-80! Go Big Blue!
— UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) January 19, 2019
#BBN celebrates the @KentuckyMBB road win over the Auburn Tigers at tonight’s Fayette County UK Alumni Club watch party at Kroger Field! Thanks to our alumni and friends who joined us! #WeAreUK #DreamBig pic.twitter.com/FBnYAkm6uv
— UK Alumni (@kentuckyalumni) January 19, 2019
— A Sea of Blue (@ASeaOfBlue) January 19, 2019
Our good luck charm, @EBled2’s grandmother. We don’t lose with her in the house!!! pic.twitter.com/2BlOjwiDtm
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) January 19, 2019
Kentucky has now won games at Louisville and at Auburn. Cats are at their best when they punch people in the mouth. Back in the Top 10 this week. #BBN
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) January 19, 2019
We like our team pic.twitter.com/IlcPYtIRAk
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 19, 2019