HALF: Kentucky closes first half strong to lead Ole Miss 43-29
You’ve heard us say it all week: Kentucky cannot afford to lose to Ole Miss. So far, so good. After 20 minutes of play, the No. 22 Cats lead the Rebels 43-29.
One of Kentucky’s objectives coming into tonight was getting off to a hot start. Ole Miss may have scored the first five points, but Justin Edwards scored the next seven. Edwards sparked a 9-0 run to give the Cats a 9-5 lead at the first media timeout at the 15:57 mark. From there, Ole Miss reclaimed the lead thanks in part to seven turnovers by Kentucky. The Cats would not take the lead for ten more minutes thanks to a three by Antonio Reeves. They would hold on to it for the remainder of the half, going on a 25-6 run over the final seven minutes.
Edwards and Reeves lead the way so far with 11 points each, followed by Reed Sheppard with six off two huge threes. Tre Mitchell, who returned to the lineup after missing two games with a back injury, has five points and five rebounds. The Cats, who are at full strength for the first time this season, are hitting an impressive 55.6% from the floor thus far.
On defense, Ugonna Onyenso has seven blocks, well on pace for the goal of 10 he gave himself earlier this season. Nerlens Noel holds the school record, 12, set at Ole Miss back in 2013. Outside of Ugo’s swats, Kentucky’s defense has looked better thus far. The Cats are holding the Rebels to 35.5% shooting and just 0.784 points per possession. Only six Wildcats have played more than ten minutes: Mitchell, Edwards, Reeves, Wagner, Onyenso, and Sheppard.
Keep it up, Cats.
First Half Box Score
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