FINAL: 5 Wildcats score in double-figures as Kentucky downs Missouri 90-77

Kentucky could never slam its foot fully on the gas against Missouri, but the end result is all that matters.

On Tuesday night in Rupp Arena, the No. 6 Wildcats (12-2; 2-0 SEC) took care of the Tigers (8-7; 0-2 SEC) by a final score of 90-77. Kentucky showcased moments of brilliance, particularly early in the first half, but a scrappy Missouri squad kept pace for most of the night. However, Mizzou failed to make a field goal for nearly 10 minutes during the second half before finally getting one to drop in the closing minute of regulation.

Kentucky was fueled by five double-digit scorers, led by a game-high 23 from freshman Rob Dillingham. Veteran Tre Mitchell also reached 20 points to go along with 14 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. Freshman DJ Wagner added 16 points while veteran Antonio Reeves went for 14 more. Aaron Bradshaw was the final double-figure scorer with 10 points and six rebounds.

As a team, Kentucky shot 50 percent from the field, 7-23 (30.4 percent) from beyond the arc, and 27-32 (84.4 percent) from the free throw line — the Wildcats’ most free throw makes and attempts so far this season. UK dominated the battle on the glass 42-27 and scored 12 more points off of turnovers than the Tigers.

Out of the gate, this one had the feeling of a potential blowout. Both sides were firing on all cylinders, but Kentucky would quickly jump out to a sizable lead after starting the night 4-6 from deep. At the first media timeout, the Wildcats led 14-12 but came out of the short break by rattling off a 14-6 run.

The offensive heatwave continued for UK. Midway through the opening half, Kentucky was already up to 35 points on the board and was building on a double-digit lead. The Wildcats would go up by as many as 14, but a lengthy scoring drought allowed Missouri an opening.

Across the final 10 minutes of the first half, Kentucky was outscored 21-12 as the Tigers began to storm back. The ‘Cats hit just three field goals during that span while Missouri began to find a rhythm. Mizzou would even trim the deficit down to as few as three with about three minutes left in the half, but Kentucky was able to push it back to five going into the break, 47-42, as Dillingham and Wagner chipped in 11 points a piece.

To kick start what would be a slow-paced second half, Kentucky once again extended its lead to double-figures behind more excellent shooting from Dillingham and Wagner. However, Missouri was able to prevent the hammer from being slammed down over the next several minutes. Every time UK would score, the Tigers had a response — seriously, every single time.

From the 17:34 mark all the way to the 1:41 mark — nearly 16 minutes of in-game action — Kentucky’s lead never got higher than 11 points or lower than seven. Bradshaw would finally break the trend off a lob finish from Wagner, pushing the ‘Cats ahead 86-73. UK would cruise to the win from there, its second against SEC competition.

Up next: No. 6 Kentucky will head to College Station, TX for a road matchup on Saturday against the Texas A&M Aggies (9-5). Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m. EST on ESPN.