Kentucky basketball survives an overtime battle with Vanderbilt
By Drew Koch
The Kentucky basketball survives scare from Vanderbilt in overtime 83-81.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recorded a career-high 30 points. Kevin Knox put up 18 and a late layup in overtime clinched the game for the Wildcats. The Kentucky basketball team trailed by 14 midway through the second half. Somehow, the ‘Comeback Cats’ snagged an 83-81 overtime victory.
First Half
The Kentucky basketball team got off to early 7-2 lead over Vanderbilt. But, a 9-1 run by the Commodores gave them an 11-8 lead. The two teams played a seesaw game back-and-forth with neither team leading by more than 5 until Wenyen Gabriel fouled Jeff Roberson in the closing seconds of the half. Vanderbilt shot 40% from behind the arc in the first half. Roberson was 2-of-4 from downtown and led all scorers at halftime with 12 points.
The Kentucky basketball team had only 1 assist in the first 20 minutes of play. Nick Richards led the Cats in scoring in the first half with 8 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander chipped in 6 and the Wildcats trailed 27-33 at halftime.
Second Half
Vanderbilt opened the second half with a 12-4 run and took a 45-31 lead over the Cats. Riley LaChance, who knocked down 2 three-pointers in the first half, headed to the bench early in the second half after picking up his fourth foul. Gilgeous-Alexander led an 12-2 run and brought the Cats within 6 with just over 13 minutes left in the game. LaChance checked back in shortly thereafter and the Commodores increased their lead back to 11.
The Commodores led 66-59 with just under 4 minutes left. An alley oop to PJ Washington cut the lead to 5 and a pull-up jumper by SGA on the next possession cut Vandy’s lead to 3. Vandy missed 3 straight shots and a Gilgeous-Alexander layup made the score 65-66 with 1:15 left in regulation. LaChance then wiggled passed Hamidou Diallo and scored for Vanderbilt.
A great block by Vanderbilt and turnover by UK led to a run out at the other end and Vandy took a 5 point edge. Gilgeous-Alexander knocked down 2 free throws, cutting the lead to 3. LaChance missed the front end of a one-and-one and Green hit a layup and the Cats trailed by 1. Roberson was fouled on the ensuing Vandy possession and hit 1-of-2 and Gilgeous-Alexander was fouled with 2 seconds left. SGA hit both and sent the game into overtime.