Connect with us

All Sports

Career Night from PJ Washington Helps Kentucky Get Back on Track

Photo by Keyli Chisesi (Go Big Blue Country)

 

LEXINGTON, KY.,

 

Another SEC game for the Kentucky Wildcats on Tuesday night and like the seven that came before it, this one was another close one but thanks to strong performances from PJ Washington, Kevin Knox, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kentucky picked up it’s 5th SEC win of the season, 78-65.

 

After dropping out of the national rankings for the first time since March 2014, Kentucky was in must-win mode Tuesday night. For much of the second half, it looked like Kentucky was going to let another close game slip away. However, a late run helped the Wildcats take control of the game. Trailing 52-49, the Wildcats responded with a 29-13 run to close the game.

 

Three Wildcats reached double figures, led by a career-high 22 points from PJ Washington. The freshman forward knocked down 6-of-10 shots from the field and improved his percentage at the charity stripe, connecting on 10-of-14 attempts. Additionally, Washington added six rebounds.

 

Joining Washington in double figures was Knox with 19 and Gilgeous-Alexander with 16 points. Knox played a game-high 36 minutes and was a perfect 4-of-4 from three-point range. SGA didn’t have his best shooting performance but he impacted the game in a number of ways. He led the Wildcats in assists with six and added four rebounds.

 

The Bulldogs had their opportunities to leave Rupp Arena with a win, which would have been their first over Kentucky since the 2009 season. For the game, Mississippi State hit 5-of-29 three’s for 17 percent, not good enough to win at Rupp Arena. That is the third straight game the Wildcats have held the opponent under 25 percent from long range.

 

One positive that helped Kentucky pull away for their first double-digit win since Louisville on December 29th was free throw shooting. The Wildcats connected on 23-of-30 opportunities while the Bulldogs hit 8-of-10.

 

The win is the 11th straight over the Bulldogs, moving Kentucky to 15-5 overall and 5-3 in SEC play. Next up for the Cats is a Big 12/SEC showdown with No. 7 West Virginia in Morgantown on Saturday. Tipoff is slated for 7:15 p.m. ET. on ESPN.

 

More in All Sports