Kentucky rebounded from its disappointing loss to UCLA during this past weekend’s CBS Classic by defeating Florida A&M, 88-68.
The Wildcats improved to 8-3 overall, and will holiday break, then return to action Wednesday, Dec. 28 by opening the Southeastern Conference schedule at Missouri.
The Wildcats struggled at times against the Rattlers but still managed to grab the 20-point win.
Kentucky dominated the rebounding, 37-18, leading to a 22-4 edge in second-chance points. The Wildcats shot 52.5 percent from the field, 31 of 59, the fourth time this season the They have made at least half their shots.
John Calipari’s squad made a season-high 13 3-pointers, shooting 56.5 percent from long range. The number ties for the fifth-most in a game in the Calipari era.
The Wildcats led by as many as 21 points. Kentucky is 317-13 (96.1 percent) under Calipari when leading by as many as 10 points at any time in the contest.
Freshman Cason Wallace was the top Cat, notching a season-high 27 points, including five 3-pointers. He also tied his season best with nine assists and four steals. He is the fifth Wildcat to hit the 20-point mark this season.
Oscar Tshiebwe collected 14 points and a game-high eight rebounds. CJ Fredrick accounted for 12 points by making 4-of-6 on 3-pointers. Antonio Reeves had 10 points, his ninth double-figure game of the season. He has made at least one 3-pointer in each game this season.
The Wildcats extended their home win streak to 26 games, dating back to the 2020-21 season, and (as this was written) is the longest active home win streak in the Southeastern Conference and tied for the third-longest in the nation. Kentucky is 640-77 (89.3 percent) in the 47-year history of Rupp Arena. The Wildcats are 213-17 (92.6 percent) in Rupp Arena under Calipari.
Florida A&M got the opening tip and the first basket but Kentucky responded with an 18-0 spurt, the Wildcats’ biggest run of the season.
The Rattlers recoiled within nine points at 36-27 and went to halftime trailing, 42-32.
Kentucky had balanced scoring and Fredrick led the way with nine points on three 3-pointers.
Wallace scored the Wildcats’ first seven points of the second half, pushing the lead to 49-34.
Kentucky led by as many as 21 points at 69-48 with 11:13 to go. However, Florida A&M put together a 14-0 run, narrowing the count to 69-62 at the 6:00 mark.
Tshiebwe broke the run by muscling in a basket from mid-lane, later added five foul shots, and Wallace and Reeves scored five each down the stretch as the Wildcats claimed an 88-68 win.
