Catch your breath -- Kentucky trails Alabama 47-45 at the break

It’s been a balanced scoring effort for Kentucky and a one-man show for Alabama, a recipe for early success for both teams with the Tide unfortunately taking the slight 47-45 lead into halftime.

You knew the pace was going to be ridiculous and the scoring output would be even crazier, the game certainly sticking to the script through 20 minutes with 90 points scored between the two teams. For the Wildcats, Otega Oweh and Amari Williams lead the way with eight points apiece, followed by Brandon Garrison and Ansley Almonor with seven each and Jaxson Robinson with six. As a team, they’re shooting 42.9 percent from the field (15-35) and 45.5 percent from three (5-11).

On the other end, it’s the Grant Nelson show with the senior forward putting up 19 points on 6-10 shooting in 15 minutes — the only double-figure scorer in the game. Mark Sears and Cliff Omoruyi have eight apiece, as well, with those three making up the lone Tide players with multiple baskets in the first half. They’re shooting 41.0 percent from the field as a team (16-39) and 31.6 percent from three (6-19).

Kentucky is outrebounding Alabama early (23-22) though the Tide have 12 assists on 16 made baskets compared to eight assists on 15 makes for the Wildcats. Both teams have turned the ball over four times.

It’s been a fun one early. Can the Cats come out on top in the second half?