Kentucky got off to an uncharacteristically hot start for the late 9 p.m. tip-off at Rupp Arena, the Wildcats sprinted out to a 7-0 lead, one they would hold onto for the remainder of the first half.
Leading 31-23 at the intermission, the Cats got big first half performances from Nate Sestina and E.J. Montgomery. Sestina hit three straight buckets in only seven minutes of action to score six points, while Montgomery chimed in with a team-high seven points and five rebounds.