LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky vs. Georgia began as a canine battle, nevertheless it ended with the Wildcats roaring to a 85-71 victory over the Bulldogs inside Rupp Enviornment Tuesday night time.
Oscar Tshiebwe's stellar second half helped the Cats surge previous the Canine, and he completed with a brand new career-high: 37 factors, to associate with 24 rebounds in a jam-packed 37 minutes of play. Tshiebwe's earlier profession greatest got here final season, when he scored 30 factors towards Vandy, Arkansas and St. Peter's, whereas his season-best was 28 factors towards Yale.
With the win, Kentucky strikes to 12-6 on the yr and 3-3 in SEC play.
The Cats did not begin the sport with a lot resemblance to the group that simply three days in the past. The offense appeared disjointed and the protection, a bit misplaced. Georgia's guards have been penetrating Kentucky's protection with ease, and the Bulldogs led for your complete half. Wallace ended the half on a excessive word along with his second - and in addition the group's second - three-pointer of the half with simply 22 seconds to play. The triple minimize into the Bulldogs' lead, however Georgia nonetheless went to the locker room with 42-34 lead.
The Wildcats wanted a halftime adjustment within the worst method, and who higher to supply renewed life than the group's reigning nationwide participant of the yr? Tshiebwe got here out with a vengeance, scoring the Cats' first 9 factors of the second half, and securing a rebound off his personal missed free throw, which led to CJ Fredrick's first, and solely, three-point bucket of the day.
MISSED FREE THROW -- OSCAR REBOUND -- CJ FREDRICK 3! #BBN is loving it and the Cats have the lead for the primary time tonightCats up 46-45 with 17:11 to play 🏀
— BBN Tonight (@BBNTonight) January 18, 2023
Tshiebwe's power was contagious. Your complete group returned to their Saturday mind-set, taking part in with willpower and admittedly, extra cohesion. The offense settled right into a rhythm, and the Cats completed the night time capturing 44 % from the ground.
Cason Wallace was the group's second-leading scorer with 17points (7-11from the sector, 2-4 from behind-the-arc and 1-2 from the free throw line). Antonio Reeves had 11 factors within the win, whereas Jacob Toppin stuffed the stat sheet with a double-double of his personal: 11 factors, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, two blocks and one steal towards the Bulldogs.
Win the win, Kentucky's confidence grows. It is one other house recreation up subsequent for the Wildcats: the Texas A&M Aggies come to Rupp Enviornment this Saturday at 2 p.m.
