FINAL: Kentucky's excellent second-half leads to 82-61 bounce back win over Vanderbilt

Now that is how you respond after a tough loss.

On Wednesday night in Rupp Arena, the No. 17 Kentucky Wildcats (18-8; 7-6 SEC) picked up a much-needed win with an 82-61 victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores (17-9; 5-8 SEC). It wasn’t the most high-profile opponent in Lexington, but this was a game the ‘Cats needed to seal after coming up short against unranked Texas over the weekend. Thanks to an impressive second half on both ends of the floor, UK did just that.

Otega Oweh continued his streak of scoring at least 10 points in every game this season, finishing with 20 points (7-10 FG), seven rebounds, and three assists. Amari Williams played his most aggressive game of the season and was unstoppable on the block. The big man added 17 points (6-6 FG, 5-5 FT) and six rebounds. Koby Brea nailed a trio of three-pointers while Collin Chandler chipped in seven points, six rebounds, and two assists in his best game yet as a ‘Cat.

After a competitive first half, Kentucky shut Vanderbilt down completely following the intermission. UK won the second half 41-21 as the ‘Cats shot 65.4 percent from the field and 6-12 from deep across the final 20 minutes. For the entire night, Kentucky finished shooting 58 percent as a team. It was a feel-good win that should all but guarantee Mark Pope his first NCAA Tournament bid as head coach of the Wildcats.

We were on pace to see this game finish in the 100s after the opening two segments. Kentucky went on the first run of the contest, jumping out to a quick 21-15 lead five minutes in. The Wildcats controlled the pace over the next several minutes before Vanderbilt hit its stride down the stretch of the half. After grabbing a 30-24 lead midway through, the Commodores went on a timely 7-0 run. A Vandy layup right before the buzzer made it just a 41-40 Kentucky advantage at the break.

Rebounding was an issue for the ‘Cats in the first half. Vanderbilt hauled in 18 compared to 12 for Kentucky. After a 4-5 start from deep, UK closed the half shooting just 5-15. But 11 points from Oweh along with nine points and five rebounds from Williams helped the cause. A 12-12 mark from the free throw line was also huge with Williams connecting on five of those. Chandler chipped in seven points in seven first-half minutes, too.

Kentucky came out of the locker room locked in. An immediate 6-0 run for the ‘Cats forced Vanderbilt into an early timeout. The ‘Dores struck back with a couple of baskets but Kentucky began to cook on both ends of the floor. Vanderbilt shot under 30 percent after halftime with a 1-10 clip from deep. Williams, in particular, was playing excellent bully ball. A 9-0 run forced another Vanderbilt timeout as UK took a 56-44 lead with 13 minutes left.

The Wildcats could go up by as many as 15 from there as the points kept coming. Chandler was playing his best basketball of the season. A three-pointer from Travis Perry with four minutes to go in the game put Kentucky up by 20. The ‘Cats would milk the clock the rest of the way en route to 21-point victory.