Fueled by the double-overtime loss to unranked Michigan State, the South Carolina State Bulldogs never had a chance on Thursday night, as the Kentucky Wildcats rolled to a 106-63 win at Rupp Arena.
CJ Fredrick scored Kentucky’s first six points, starting the game with a corner three-pointer and getting the traditional three-point play on a lay-up and free throw. Jacob Toppin then scored on a lob pass from Sahvir Wheeler and a Cason Wallace three gave the Wildcats an early 11-3 lead.
SC State then went on a 7-0 run to cut the lead to one before the Wildcats were able to find some separation and jumped ahead at the 10:32 mark as Oscar Tshiebwe got a steal on the defensive end and raced the full length of the floor, getting past a defender to complete a thunderous slam dunk to give the ‘Cats a 19-14 advantage.