Photo | Keyli Chisesi
LEXINGTON, Ky – While Tennessee entered Saturday’s matchup in Lexington as the No. 1 team in the country, the Wildcats reminded everyone who runs the SEC.
Kentucky, behind 23 points from PJ Washington and 19 from Keldon Johnson, raced by No. 1 Tennessee, 86-69, at Rupp Arena.
After building a 37-31 lead at intermission, Kentucky stormed out of the locker room with a 14-0 run to build a 51-31 lead four minutes into the second half. The Wildcats pushed the lead to 62-38 before Tennessee attempted to draw closer. However, the Volunteers never could get the game to single digits.
In addition to Washington and Johnson, Tyler Herro (15 points) and Reid Travis (11 points) finished in double figures. The latter, according to John Calipari, is the reason Kentucky won the game.
“The difference maker in the game for us was (Reid) Travis,” said Calipari. Now his numbers, 11 and 8, and you can say what you want, but he was a beast against another beast. Like it negated that.”
Travis made his presence felt on the defensive end by physically guarding Tennessee’s Grant Williams, who finished with 16 points, three below his season average of 19.4. Half of those points came at the free throw line.
With Travis occupying Williams, PJ Washington was able to focus his energy on the offensive end. The UK sophomore was on his game from the start, scoring 7 points before the first media timeout and 13 of his game-high 23 points in the first half.
“Which and again, by him being able to do that PJ didn’t have to play him. So now PJ could go and do what he does,” said Calipari. “I told PJ you need a hug, my man, after that game. Because he’s in the tub right now, he’s on IV again after this game.”
Kentucky’s win helps them bounce back from a controversial home loss to LSU last Tuesday. Next up for the Wildcats is a Tuesday night trip to Missouri.
