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Highlights, Box Score and Game MVP from Kentucky’s win over Texas A&M

Kentucky started slow but finished strong in both halves to score a double-digit win.

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Utah v Kentucky Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The Kentucky Wildcats beat the Texas A&M Aggies Wednesday night 85-74.

The Cats got off to a slow start once again falling behind 10-0 early on. But they answered with a huge 15-2 run of their own. In the blink of an eye, Kentucky had the lead and they wouldn’t look back.

But that isn’t to say it was pretty. UK got up by as much as 14 in the first half, but they didn’t put their foot on the gas.

A&M cut the lead to two with less than eight minutes in the game, as the Cats were seemingly sleepwalking through the second half.

The Aggies are a bad basketball team and it wasn’t exactly encouraging to see the Cats play so poorly. I understand that it’s tough for players to get up for games at times, especially against such an inferior opponent, but I expected them to come out ready to play following the loss to Alabama.

However, the team did show spurts of just how good they are and can be. There are times that this team looks like the best team in the country. They just don’t always play to that potential. They’re inconsistent, but there’s a lot to look forward to.

The Cats will look to hopefully put together a better performance next time out against the Vanderbilt Commodores. But for now, Kentucky is back in the win column.

Box Score

Game MVP

Tyler Herro was hot tonight and he was impossible to guard, but I’ve got to give the MVP to Ashton Hagans.

Hagans is so fun to watch. He’s getting more and more confident each game offensively and he’s already one of the best defenders in all of college basketball.

He was an absolute menace on defense and he got to the basket at will. He ended up with five steals and was constantly frustrating Aggie ball-handlers.

What was more impressive was his mid-range game. He pulled up and nailed a couple jump shots, which we had yet to see him do. And when he attacked the basket, he kept getting to the free line line.

Hagans finished with 18 points and four assists on 4-6 shooting and 10-11 from the free throw line. It was a great all-around performance when you add in the aforementioned five steals and probably Hagans’ best game as a Wildcat.

He has taken the reins as this team’s starting point guard and floor general and he will only continue to get better and better. His presence has been invaluable.

Highlights

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