No. 9 Kansas ends Kentucky basketball’s winning streak with victory at Rupp Arena
LEXINGTON, Ky. — After a first half filled with misses at the free-throw line and beyond the 3-point arc that saw Kentucky men’s basketball trudge in the locker room down 41-34 to No. 9 Kansas, the Wildcats came alive in the final 20 minutes.
It would have been enough to notch a marquee victory. If only Kansas didn’t have an answer every time Kentucky drew close.Â
Kansas’ clutch plays down the stretch, particularly behind the 3-point line, handed Kentucky a 77-68 loss at Rupp Arena, ending the Wildcats’ four-game winning streak.
The Wildcats cut the deficit to two (or fewer) points five times. But they never got over the hump to take the lead.
Kentucky loss let a spectacular offensive effort go to waste. The Wildcats made 49% (25 for 51) of their shots, mere decimal points off the Jayhawks’ 49.2% (31 of 63).
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Most important, Kansas was better in specific areas.
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The Jayhawks (17-4) made six of their 16 3-point attempts, a 37.5% conversion rate — more than double the Wildcats’ percentage (2 of 13, 15.4%). And while Kentucky made 16 free throws to Kansas’ nine, the visitors only missed one.Â
Kentucky made 16 of 16 free throws in the second half but couldn’t overcome its 4-of-11 showing in the opening 20 minutes.
One department Kentucky appeared to have an advantage going into the game was on the boards. The Wildcats entered as one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the nation — and then failed to snare a single one of their own misses before halftime. Kentucky failed to record a second-chance point all game.
The Jayhawks went on to win the rebounding battle 34-29, as the Wildcats grabbed only four offensive boards.
And that made all the difference Saturday in the Big 12/SEC Challenge matchup between college basketball’s two winningest programs.
Kentucky star Oscar Tshiebwe led the Wildcats in both points (18) and rebounds. Guard Cason Wallace and forward Jacob Toppin had 14 points apiece. Antonio Reeves came off the bench and finished with 10 points.
Kansas forward Jalen Wilson, in the running for national player of the year, scored a game-high 22 points on 9-of-18 shooting and a 2-for-2 effort at the free-throw line. KJ Adams had 17 points (8 for 10 from the field), Gradey Dick had 13 and Kevin McCullar contributed 11.
Kentucky returns to SEC play Tuesday at 9 p.m., as it makes the trek to Oxford, Mississippi, to take on Ole Miss.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @RyanABlack.