Things got a hair too uncomfortable in the first half, Kentucky trailing by as many as 13 points with 12:22 to go. Texas A&M-Commerce had made five of its first eight 3-pointers — most of which wide-open thanks to some lackluster defensive effort on the Wildcats’ part. Ball movement was an issue too, rust on one end leading to stagnant play on the other.
That’s how you get down 21-8 against a team ranked No. 304 in the updated KenPom — No. 314 overall offense and No. 270 defense.
And then one Reed Sheppard steal changed the entire game, that deflection and transition bucket leading to a 30-9 run for the Wildcats to close out the half.