Number 12 Kentucky closed the first half on an 8-0 run and the Wildcats went on to knock off number eight Miami, 95-73, in the SEC/ACC Challenge matchup played before over 20,000 fans at Rupp Arena on Tuesday night.
UK, now 6-1, placed five players in double-digit scoring, led by Reed Sheppard’s 21 points. Antonio Reeves added 18. Sheppard added five rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Tre Mitchell finished with 14 points and a career-high seven assists. Rob Dillingham net 12 and Justin Edwards chipped in 11.
Kentucky extended a 42-37 halftime led to 67-43, using a 25-6 run. The Wildcats made 15 of their first 17 shots after the break.
The Wildcats will next be in action against North Carolina-Wilmington (5-1) at home on Saturday. Tipoff is 4.
At Lexington
SCORE BY HALVES:
UM (5-1)….37 36 – 73
UK (6-1)….42 53 – 95
Scoring:
Miami (73) – Norchad Omier 5(1) 7-7 20; Matthew Cleveland 1(1) 0-2 5; Bensley Joseph 2 0-0 4; Wooga Poplar 7 5-8 19; Nijel Pack 1 0-0 2; Michael Nwoko 3 2-2 8; Kyshawn George 1(1) 0-0 5; and Christian Watson 1(2) 2-2 10. Totals: 21(5) 16-21 73.
Kentucky (95) – Tre Mitchell 4(1) 3-4 14; Justin Edwards 5 1-3 11; Adou Thiero 4 1-1 9; Antonio Reeves 6(1) 3-4 18; D.J. Wagner 1 3-4 5; Rob Dillingham 3(2) 0-0 12; Reed Sheppard 3(5) 0-0 21; and Jordan Burks 2 1-1 5. Totals: 28(9) 12-17 95.
Next up: Kentucky (6-1) vs. UNC-Wilmington (5-1), 4 pm, Dec. 2.