Add Event My Events Log In

Upcoming Events

    We see you appreciate a good vintage. But there comes a time to try something new. Click here to head over to the redesigned Louisville.com. It's where you'll find all of our latest work. And plenty of the good ol' stuff, too, looking better than ever.

    LouLife

    Print this page

    This is more like the UK teams we’re used to seeing.

    The Cats played perhaps their best game of the year Tuesday as they went into Oxford and handed #16 Ole Miss their first SEC loss in 7 tries this season. Kyle Wiltjer had a career high 26 points to go along with 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 assists. He was 10-19 from the floor, including 5 of 12 from behind the 3-point line, to lead all scorers. Nerlens Noel had the best game you may ever see from a player who scored 2 points. As he’s demonstrated repeatedly throughout the year, his ability to block or alter shots has a cumulative effect on an opponent, and Tuesday was no different. Noel finished with 12 blocks, a school record, along with 7 rebounds and those 2 points. UK also got stellar performances from Archie Goodwin (24 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists), Alex Poythress (15 points, 7 rebounds) and Ryan Harrow (13 points). Ole Miss was led by guard Ladarius White with 22 points; and sharpshooter Marshall Henderson, who scored 21 points but was held to 5-19 from the floor, including 2-11 from behind the arc.

    The game was competitive throughout the 1st half, with Ole Miss leading 38-37 at the break. The Cats came out hot in the second half, especially Wiltjer, who scored 9 points as UK started the half with a 16-8 run to lead by 7 within the first four minutes. UK then bore down on defense, keying a 20-10 run that gave UK its biggest lead, 73-56, with just under 10 minutes to go. Ole Miss was not deterred, fighting back with a 16-0 run of its own over the next 5+ minutes to cut UK’s lead to 1, 73-72 with just over four minutes left. That was as close as they got as Ryan Harrow hit a 3 and Archie Goodwin added a layup and two free throws to stretch the lead out and effectively end the game.

    UK now turns its attention to Saturday, when they visit Texas A&M, who beat them at Rupp earlier this year. As valuable a win as this is for the Cats, a loss Saturday in College Station could potentially negate much of that value.

    Photo: Flickr/MegRobertsonNY

    I'm on Twitter! Follow me @wapaytick

    Adam Price's picture

    About Adam Price

    I'm a Louisville native, accountant at the University of Louisville, volunteer, and member of the Fund for the Arts NeXt! Leadership Development program. I enjoy sports (especially UofL), the arts, craft beer and Kentucky bourbon...not in that order.

    More from author:  

    Share On:

    Most Read Stories