After some bumps in the road recently, the Big Blue Nation got to see a solid performance out of their Kentucky Wildcats on Friday night. It took longer than most would have liked, but the guys got it done.
It was another slow start for Kentucky who found themselves trailing Mount St. Mary’s after ten minutes of play in the first half. UK was able to rally and muster a five-point lead by halftime but it wasn’t pretty.
One bright spot of the first 20 minutes was the continued emergence of Nick Richards. The junior Center slammed home two alley-oops to start the game and finished the half with 9 points and 4 rebounds. Tyrese Maxey also scored 9 points but Kentucky was lead by Ashton Hagans who tallied 11 points on 3-5 shooting.
The second half was another story entirely. UK got it rolling from deep and never looked back after building a 20 point lead before the under 12 minute time-out. There was once again enjoyable basketball in Rupp Arena
For the first time in a long time, this team finally put together some solid stretches of play. There is still plenty to be desired but the second half of tonight’s game was a major step in the right direction as Kentucky improved their season record to 4-1.
Here is what Twitter had to say about the Cats victory.
Friday Night Final in @Rupp_Arena.
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) November 23, 2019
Kentucky 82, The Mount 62.#BBN #TGT pic.twitter.com/mSBa2bpkka
Second straight game that Hagans and Richards have carried Kentucky.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) November 23, 2019
Hagans with 16 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 turnovers.
Richards with 19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks.
And the Cats finally going to win one easily.
This @iamnickrichards is different
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) November 23, 2019
UK 73, The Mount 56
2H | 5:37 pic.twitter.com/Jd8LeNoOjx
So Nick Richards is Kentucky's best player right now.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) November 23, 2019
Lottery Pick Nick Richards send tweet
— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) November 23, 2019
Best stretch of basketball since the Michigan State game.
— Shawn Smith (@gbbcountry) November 23, 2019
Nick Richards has played the best basketball of his UK career these last 5 games
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) November 23, 2019
Nick Richards over his last 4 games:
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) November 23, 2019
16.8 points
27-38 FG (71%)
8.0 rebounds
2.0 blocks
Back-to-back 3-pointers by @IQ_GodSon has put him in double figures.
— Kentucky MBB Stats & Info (@UKMBBStatsInfo) November 23, 2019
He's scored 10 or more in all four games he's played in this season. He's also hit a 3 in every game.
He scored in double figures in six games last season. pic.twitter.com/nsNNHJYLvh
Kentucky wins when we have #HighIQ #BBN
— Real Thankful For Turkey (@fakegimel) November 23, 2019
EJ Montgomery played all night with a smile on his face. 7 points, 6 boards in 15 minutes. Welcome back!
— John Huang (@KYHuangs) November 23, 2019
John Calipari says EJ Montgomery "made the difference" against Mount St. Mary's tonight, played like he didn't miss any time. He finished with 7 points and 6 rebounds in 15 minutes.
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) November 23, 2019
UK defeats Mt St Mary’s 82-62 at Rupp Arena. @KyKernel @KYKernelSports @ErikaBonnerKYK pic.twitter.com/7ubVfC7ZXe
— Michael Clubb (@MichaelClubb4) November 23, 2019
Kentucky defeats Mount St. Mary’s 82-62 Friday at Rupp Arena. @KentuckySports @heraldleader pic.twitter.com/F88nlSLl8K
— Alex Slitz (@AlexSlitzPhoto) November 23, 2019
Funny reading all those first half gloom and doom tweets.
— MicheleGolfsALot (@ForeverBigBlue) November 23, 2019
LOL
Oh hey weird, UK gets healthy and plays better.
— Michael (@MRudolphComedy) November 23, 2019
Splash! Cats up 20 just like that. Thanks to this @IQ_GodSon sniper shot #BBN #CatsBy90 pic.twitter.com/h11B1UrsA9
— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) November 23, 2019
Get you some of that. @iamnickrichards #UpperLevelPhotos #BBN pic.twitter.com/FE2Kbjqt1S
— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) November 23, 2019