Kentucky was 'better team' in latest home win over LSU

In the victory over Alabama, Kentucky fell behind by double-digits in the first half only to come roaring back with a monster second half. The Wildcats followed a similar blueprint in Wednesday night’s victory over LSU.

Despite looking at an eight-point deficit entering the Rupp Arena locker rooms at halftime, Kentucky once again came storming out of the half led the Tigers by five at the under-12 media timeout following a 22-11 blitz. By the time the clock hit zeroes, Kentucky outscored LSU 48-35 and improved to 12-3 in SEC play in the 71-66 win.

In the LSU locker room, the Tigers knew it was that electric second half by the home favorites that ultimately ended up being the difference in the game.

“In my opinion, it was pretty clear,” said LSU guard Xavier Pinson when asked about what went wrong for the road team after halftime. “The first half we imposed our will on them, and the second half they impose their will on us. It sucks to say, but I mean they played harder. They were the better team. They played way harder than us, and they stayed locked in. You could tell that they really wanted to win as a whole.

That will to win and refuse to lose attitude was on full display in the five-point victory. Kentucky got a surprise 13 points off the bench from freshman Bryce Hopkins to give the team a much-needed lift. Meanwhile, LSU was woeful at the rim shooting just 8 of 23 on layups. All of that added up to be a disaster last 20 minutes for the plucky road underdogs.

Despite getting a season-high 26 points from Pinson and pouring in nine makes from three-point range, the Tigers did not have enough to get over the hump and record another win in Rupp Arena. Kentucky’s will to win and effort was the difference between winning and losing.

“We didn’t match or exceed their aggressiveness,” said head coach Will Wade.