The Kentucky Wildcats entered Tuesday night’s matchup with the Ole Miss Rebels looking for a bounce back win after a loss on Saturday.
The game didn’t get off to the best start as the Rebels were able to bully the Cats in the post to take an early 10-4 lead.
Kentucky would go on a quick run to cut the lead to 12-11 by the under 12 media timeout.
Unfortunately, the Cats had a hard time breaking the Rebels’ 1-3-1 zone defense as Ole Miss pulled ahead for a 21-12 lead.
Another quick run by the Cats allowed them to climb back into the game, cutting the lead to 23-21 with just under 4 minutes left in the half.
Each team exchanged runs down the stretch of the opening half, but it was the Rebels that took a 32-29 lead into halftime.
The Cats got off to a good start in the 2nd half as they used back-to-back threes by Olivier Sarr and Davion Mintz to take a 35-34 lead.
Kentucky kept the hot start to the half rolling as they were able to build a 48-43 lead at the under 12 timeout.
Unfortunately, Kentucky wasn’t able to expand on their lead and allowed the Rebels to go on a run to take a 61-54 lead forcing Calipari to take a timeout with 4:43 to play.
Down the stretch Kentucky continued to fight, but it was the Rebels that made the plays needed to get the win as the Cats lose this one 70-62.
Game MVP
Both Keion Brooks and Isaiah Jackson were in the conversation for game MVP. However, it is Davion Mintz who gets it for this one as he finished with 10 points, 8 assists, and 2 rebounds.
Aside from the stats, with Devin Askew not having a very good night, Mintz did a very good job of running the point for the team and was setting up teammates for open looks, which is why he racked up so many assists.
At one point in the 2nd half, the Cats led 48-43 and Mintz was taken out of the game, and Ole Miss immediately went on a 7-0 run to go up 50-48.
Mintz has been one of the consistencies with this team, though this wasn’t one of his better games.
Box Score
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