Kentucky Falls 65-60 to LSU Following Second Half Scoring Drought

Kentucky admirably battled through adversity for almost 30 minutes before it completely hit the fan in Baton Rouge.

After No. 16 Kentucky took a nine-point lead with Grady’s fourth second half three-pointer, No. 21 LSU went on a 20-2 run over the next 10:14 to retake the lead and all of the game’s momentum. On the night the Tigers named their court after Dale Brown, LSU’s top-ranked defense suffocated UK.

Davion Mintz’s late heroics gave Kentucky a chance. Kentucky went on an 8-0 run in the final two minutes to cut the LSU lead to one. Oscar Tshiebwe actually stole the ball on the following possession, but an errant pass created chaos in the closing seconds, eventually leading to a 65-60 LSU win.

The last 20 seconds of LSU-Kentucky is absolute madness. pic.twitter.com/zlokf2kJea

— Troy Machir (@TroyMachir) January 5, 2022

Toppin Rides out First Half Storm

Nothing could go right for Kentucky in the first half. Sahvir Wheeler was injured, sent to the locker room with 16:07 on the clock. Five minutes later Oscar Tshiebwe picked up his second foul.

The usual reinforcements were not of much help either. Davion Mintz and Kellan Grady could not buy a bucket and the Wildcats made just 1-of-11 three-pointers.Thankfully, Jacob Toppin came prepared to play. Coming off the bench, Toppin made his first six shots, including a fadeaway 15-footer as time expired, to keep Kentucky within striking range, trailing by only five at half. Toppin scored 13 of his 14 points in the first half.

Jacob Toppin with a HUGE slam + the foul 👀

(via @KentuckyMBB)
pic.twitter.com/kq1HmWhQIN

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) January 5, 2022

Kentucky’s Hot Second Half Start

Kentucky’s shooters were due to start hitting. They wasted no time. Davion Mintz opened the half with a made three-pointer. Grady responded with a three of his own to retake the lead. Then Mintz made one more. Not to be outdone, Grady hit three-pointers on back-to-back possessions.

After missing ten first half threes, UK’s first six made shots of the second half were three-pointers. The outburst stretched the UK lead to 50-41 with 13 minutes remaining.

No Twos for Kentucky

The Wildcats started hot from behind the three-point line. Inside that line it was a completely different story. Kentucky did not make a two-point field goal for the first 13:16 of the second half. A Tshiebwe dunk ended a five-minute UK scoring drought and a 10-0 LSU run that gave the lead back to the Tigers. Kentucky only made two two-point shots in the second half.

LSU’s double-teams in the post made life difficult for Tshiebwe. That was only amplified when cramps sidelined TyTy Washington halfway through the second half, forcing Mintz to play point guard. LSU’s physicality rattled Kentucky, but sent them to the line. Unfortunately, the Wildcats could not capitalize, making just 10-of-20 free throw attempts.

Box Score