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The Kentucky Wildcats get their second straight win in the state of Tennessee, this time over the Vanderbilt Commodores, 78-64.
It looked like Memorial Magic was in full effect in the first half as Vandy hit 10 threes and extended their lead to as many as 15 over Kentucky.
But, basketball is a game of two halves and Kentucky came out guns-blazing in the second-half and thoroughly dominated Vandy on both sides of the ball. Despite Vandy hitting 14 threes, the Cats won by 14. What a way to whether the storm.
The defense stepped up in the second-half, led by 12 blocks for the Wildcats, their most in an SEC game since 2014 against Ole MIss.
Tyrese Maxey had 25 points, followed by Immanuel Quickley with 18 points and a couple of dagger threes to put the game away. Ashton Hagans also flirted with a triple-double, coming up just two assists shy in what was a near-masterful game for him following a recent slump.
Kentucky is back home on Saturday against Ole Miss.
Here’s what social media had to say:
Two wins in four days in Tennessee.
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 12, 2020
We're back in @Rupp_Arena Saturday https://t.co/Y26gQT22kd pic.twitter.com/3yfcWay58M
There are three things you can count on in life ...
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 12, 2020
1. Death
2. Taxes
3. An @IQ_GodSon dagger late in the game pic.twitter.com/mA9VJO1rpG
Immanuel Quickley has now reached double figures in 13 straight games and has scored at least 18 points 9x during that stretch.
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) February 12, 2020
A man of the #BBN@IQ_GodSon #BBNashville pic.twitter.com/w9pbEx1Dho
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 12, 2020
— A Sea of Blue (@ASeaOfBlue) February 12, 2020
Ashton Hagans has been phenomenal in the second half. When he's patient and avoids tunnel vision, he's a scary good player. Good to see it after his brief slump.
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) February 12, 2020
Since the Louisville win, Kentucky is 11-2.
— Big Blue Nation (@BigBlue9ation) February 12, 2020
In that 13 game stretch:
Quickley is shooting 27-60 (45%) from three.
Richards is shooting 73-111 (66%) FG.
Hagans is shooting 51-64 (80%) FT pic.twitter.com/xBeyDabNrb
— no context college basketball (@CBBNoContext) February 12, 2020
Good Effort on defense from @UKCoachCalipari pic.twitter.com/WSw2msDzfe
— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) February 12, 2020
Immanuel Quickley stepback 3 drawn up out of the timeout. pic.twitter.com/L3yMjJK6qN
— Not Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton2) February 12, 2020
quickley is this team’s doron lamb
— George Bluth (@andrewbaets) February 12, 2020
Our dudes BALLED in this 2nd Half
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) February 12, 2020
Kentucky's 12 blocks tonight is its most in an SEC game since February 2014 against Marshall Henderson and Ole Miss. Willie Cauley-Stein had 6 blocks in that one.
— Hayes Gardner (@HayesGardner) February 12, 2020
Immanuel Quickley breaks the press and lobs to Nick Richards for the slam. pic.twitter.com/BR9MdhsEnq
— Not Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton2) February 12, 2020
Ashton Hagans one handed bullet pass to Nick Richards for the dunk. pic.twitter.com/3DPv85crRf
— Not Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton2) February 12, 2020
Nick Richards set the tone with his defensive plays early this half. His energy changed the game. Kentucky now shooting 41%, up from 32% at the half.
— Shawn Smith (@gbbcountry) February 12, 2020
Tyrese Maxey getting to the rim is beyond beautiful
— Bobby Reagan (@BarstoolReags) February 12, 2020
In a matter of 5 seconds ESPN had Tayshaun Prince, Ellen Calipari, and Scottie Pippen on the screen. Really shows how humble Ellen really is to appear and help promote the lower status guys like those guys.
— Things #BBN Likes (@ThingsBBNLikes) February 12, 2020
That’s actually a really nice win for Kentucky. Get down big against a hot-shooting bad team on the road, road back and win by 14. Got 25 from Maxey, 18 from IQ and a near triple-double from Hagans (11, 10 and 8). That’ll do.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) February 12, 2020
Just standing patiently in the Vandy Basketball beer line. Great attitude on all sides. Shiny happy people pic.twitter.com/29nVsbq0Qi
— MrTT (@MrTylerKSR) February 12, 2020
Kentucky fans greet the team as they leave court after beating Vanderbilt 78-64 pic.twitter.com/fgl5sOUxpo
— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) February 12, 2020
UK +160 was fun
— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) February 12, 2020
The first half vs. the second half for Kentucky: pic.twitter.com/Sp0s8BB2fT
— Michael Whitlow (@couldbelikemike) February 12, 2020
Ashton Hagans said despite the deficit, John Calipari remained calm at halftime. Why? "It was my birthday and I just didn't want to get mean."
— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) February 12, 2020
Nick Richards in the 2nd half
— Big Blue Nation (@BigBlue9ation) February 12, 2020
pic.twitter.com/9ItPJFCcKe
#BBN picks the Player of the Game from the second-half comeback win at Vanderbilt
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 12, 2020
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