LEXINGTON, Ky. – Oscar Tshiebwe had 18 factors and 15 rebounds, Sahvir Wheeler added 16 factors and No. 7 Kentucky shot 60% earlier than holding off Mississippi 83-72 in its house finale Tuesday night time.
Kentucky (24-6, 13-4 Southeastern Convention) took management after 4 minutes behind sizzling capturing, hitting 9 of its first 12 makes an attempt together with 4 of 6 from lengthy vary and ending 59% at halftime. The Wildcats unfold the offense nicely, with 5 gamers scoring at the least seven factors within the first 20 minutes.
Tshiebwe jump-started Kentucky’s 62% second-half capturing by scoring six factors with a few dunks. The Wildcats finally led 70-56 with 6:03 remaining earlier than the Rebels rallied to inside 76-70 on James White’s jumper with 2:15 left.
TyTy Washington Jr. (14 factors off the bench) adopted with three free throws in 20 seconds earlier than Tshiebwe’s steal resulted in two extra from the road by Keion Brooks Jr.’ to make it 81-70. Tshiebwe’s defensive rebound led to Brooks’ jumper with 17 seconds left for a 13-point cushion because the Wildcats completed unbeaten at house.
Matthew Murrell made 5 of 8 3-pointers for 25 factors for the Rebels (13-17, 4-13), who dropped their third in a row and seventh in eight video games. They fell to 2-56 lifetime in Lexington.
Tshiebwe, the nationwide chief in rebounds per recreation coming in (15.3), helped Kentucky win the boards 30-24 and made 9 of 12 from the sector for his twenty fourth double-double this season. Brooks completed with 10 factors and 5 rebounds.
BIG PICTURE
Ole Miss shot 50% from the sector and mounted a number of small runs to get inside single digits. The Rebels simply could not cease Kentucky from stringing collectively sufficient baskets to keep up a protected cushion.
Kentucky completed unbeaten at Rupp Enviornment for the 14th time and sixth underneath John Calipari. Extra importantly, the Wildcats bounced again from an in depth loss at No. 14 Arkansas and stayed nearby of first-place Auburn.
UP NEXT
Ole Miss hosts Vanderbilt in its common season finale.
Kentucky visits Florida in Saturday’s common season finale, looking for a season sweep of the Gators.