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The Kentucky Wildcats returned to Rupp after a two-game road trip for their second matchup with the Georgia Bulldogs.
The Cats got off to an excellent start on both ends of the floor and they were able to jump out to a quick 10-2 lead.
After an Ashton Hagans jumper, Kentucky held a 20-10 lead but it was time for Georgia to heat up after their 3/20 start.
The Bulldogs would go on a big run to take a 29-28 lead for their first lead of the game and forcing coach Cal to take a timeout.
Kentucky answered with a 7-0 run to build a 35-29 lead forcing Georgia to take their own timeout.
The rest of the half was back and forth by these two teams, but it was Kentucky that took a 41-35 lead into the break.
Kentucky got off to a horrible start in the 2nd half, as Georgia ran off four quick points making it 41-39 forcing Cal to take another timeout.
Just like in the 1st half, Kentucky answered with a run of their own to push the lead back to 51-43.
Georgia wouldn’t go away, as they cut the lead back to three at 57-54 before the under 12 media timeout.
But, once again the Cats had a huge answer as they were able to turn it up defensively and pushed the lead to 69-56.
The Cats held a 79-67 lead at the under four timeout and Kentucky was able to roll to an 89-79 victory.
Here is how Twitter reacted to Kentucky’s win:
That qualifies as a good start.
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 22, 2020
10-2 Cats out of the game. pic.twitter.com/Bgous4ukDG
Good, balanced start for the ‘Cats. Really guarding the ball well on defense.
— Travis Graf (@Trav_Graf) January 22, 2020
Juzang drills a nice pull up jumper in transition. He is beginning to build some confidence.
— Big Blue Express (@bigbluexpress) January 22, 2020
Johnny Juzang giving Kentucky solid minutes makes this team so much better, especially if that jump shot falls consistently.
— Shawn Smith (@gbbcountry) January 22, 2020
They brought out Kash Daniel, Calvin Taylor and TJ Carter to Grove Street Party during the timeout, with Kash carrying the Belk Bowl trophy.
— Travis Graf (@Trav_Graf) January 22, 2020
A lot of in-state junior football talent is on hand for this game tonight.
It’s a party, it’s a party! pic.twitter.com/0MhRuiUXzD
— UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) January 22, 2020
Damn Nick.. that was AMAZING help. AND got the charge.
— Perry Stevenson (@PsteveBBN) January 22, 2020
So it’s clicking for more and more players now - if we can just get it clicking for Whitney we could be a really really good team!
— John Robic's Hair (@JohnRobicsHair) January 22, 2020
Kahlil Whitney hasn't played in this game but he was the first player off the bench to celebrate with his teammates after that run.
— Shawn Smith (@gbbcountry) January 22, 2020
Man, I am LOVING the way Immanuel Quickley is playing right now.
— Big Blue Nation (@BigBlue9ation) January 22, 2020
He is really starting to show so much more on the court than his shooting.
Moving the ball well, getting guys in their spots, and making shots when he needs to. He has changed this offense so much.
Here's an idea: let college basketball players call their own fouls. It can't be worse.
— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) January 22, 2020
Anthony Edwards is scoreless and it’s still a single digit game at the half? pic.twitter.com/wD59nZeHeN
— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) January 22, 2020
Georgia scores the first 4 points of the second half to cut the UK lead to 2.
— Not Jerry Tipton (@NotJerryTipton) January 22, 2020
Alright, Cal. Time to get ejected.
TV replay shows Ashton Hagans just did the small man gesture Anthony Edwards did to Tyrese Maxey at Georgia.
— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) January 22, 2020
Ashton Hagans remembers everything. pic.twitter.com/iH0akMUOoY
— Not Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton2) January 22, 2020
I know we shouldn't be surprised with who Nick Richards is as a player now but he continues to impress me every game. I enjoy watching him play.
— Shawn Smith (@gbbcountry) January 22, 2020
Nick Richards and the NBA Draft... pic.twitter.com/coFCUVX6C7
— T.J. Walker (@TJWalkerRadio) January 22, 2020
Edwards has it going now. Cats are going to have to make him work for everything on both ends.
— Big Blue Express (@bigbluexpress) January 22, 2020
EJ Montgomery cheering the loudest for Keion Brooks after his second straight bank shot.
— Travis Graf (@Trav_Graf) January 22, 2020
This team is full of fantastic teammates.
Tom Crean is now 3-20 in SEC regular season games.
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) January 22, 2020
Calipari: "I love the fact that Keion has stepped in now and been that third big. I told them, 'If someone is playing well, they're staying in, and you have to accept it.' "
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) January 22, 2020
Kentucky has seemed to be just one consistent piece away from being a legitimate threat this year. Between Keion Brooks Jr. and Johnny Juzang over the last few games, it looks like they might be getting two.
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) January 22, 2020
Johnny and keion
— Eric Murphy (@emurphy24) January 22, 2020
…and this is officially The Keion Brooks Game.
— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) January 22, 2020
Juzang with career high now in minutes played.
— John Huang (@KYHuangs) January 22, 2020
EJ Montgomery's jumper is working tonight. Now 10 points (4-6 FG) and 5 rebounds. He needed a game like this. If not for foul trouble in the first half, he'd be approaching a double-double.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) January 22, 2020
if EJ keeps hitting that midrange shot... pic.twitter.com/HiEJpGwH05
— Big Blue Nation (@BigBlue9ation) January 22, 2020
Ashton Hagans has been great tonight
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) January 22, 2020
BIG #MOOD pic.twitter.com/CpDx00zpqc
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 22, 2020
Hagans make kentucky go ‼️
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) January 22, 2020
What a move by maxey
— ©hief 〽️eteorologist (@Dthixton10) January 22, 2020
It’s always a great sign when Kentucky seems to be improving with every single game that they play.
— Big Blue Nation (@BigBlue9ation) January 22, 2020
Adding Brooks and Juzang tonight makes this team look even more dangerous and Quickley has really found his role as a 3p guy.
Love this team, and where they’re headed.
Kentucky 89, Georgia 79
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) January 22, 2020
Ashton Hagans: 23 pts, 5 reb, 9 ast, 4 stls
Nick Richards: 20 pts, 8 reb, 3 blk
Immanuel Quickley: 12 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast
EJ Montgomery: 10 pts, 5 reb
Keion Brooks: 8 pts, 5 reb
Tyrese Maxey: 7 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast
Johnny Juzang: 6 pts
Nate Sestina: 2 pts
Another fun night with @KentuckyMBB and the #BBN. #WeAreUK #TGT pic.twitter.com/y9PJtpFYu5
— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) January 22, 2020
Player driven. Team win. #BBN #TGT pic.twitter.com/smMlIBVQ1x
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 22, 2020
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