Kentucky trails South Carolina at the half 33-25

For the first time all season, Kentucky isn’t getting what it wants offensively while South Carolina has had some uncharacteristic shooting success. That’s led to a low-scoring rock fight that has the Cats trailing at the half.

The Gamecocks have gotten three made 3-pointers from Jacobi Wright — a 22.7% shooter on the year — while Ta’Lon Cooper has nearly matched his season scoring average of 9.3 PPG with eight points on 3-4 shooting and 2-3 from three. As a team South Carolina is shooting 41.9% from the field (13-31) and 50.0% from deep (6-12).

Kentucky is shooting just 34.4% overall (11-32) and 20.0% from three (2-10) with two players scoring at least two baskets. Rob Dillingham leads the way with 11 points on 5-8 shooting while Aaron Bradshaw is off to a solid four-point, five-rebound start — though he picked up a pair of fouls after just nine minutes of action.

DJ Wagner, Antonio Reeves, Reed Sheppard, Justin Edwards and Zvonimir Ivisic are a combined 2-18 for five total points to open the matchup.

Oh, and it took 12 minutes for USC to be called for a foul, for those keeping track at home.

Check out the complete box score. Or don’t. It’s your choice.

20 minutes to turn things around.