Cats dance past Dores’ in Nashville

Published 11:04 am Wednesday, January 25, 2023

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Kentucky remained undefeated in games played in bordering Tennessee.

The Wildcats (14-6, 5-3) increased their winning streak to four and notched their 14th consecutive victory over Vanderbilt with a 69-53 win over the Commodores Tuesday night in Nashville. Kentucky’s current winning streak began with a 63-56 win over No. 4 Tennessee on Jan. 14 in Knoxville.

Kentucky scored seven straight to end the first half and led 36-27 at the half. Cason Wallace knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers and sparked a 12-3 Kentucky run to open the second half. The spree pushed the margin to 48-30, extending to 20 with six minutes remaining before cruising the remainder of the contest.

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Wallace started at the point-guard slot for the fourth straight game and was joined by CJ Fredrick, Oscar Tshiebwe, Chris Livingston, and Jacob Toppin. Guards Wallace, Fredrick, and Antonio Reeves combined for 21 points in the opening half.

The Commodores (10-10, 3-4) had no answer to Kentucky’s post play. Oscar Tshiebwe and Jacob Toppin each had a double-double, with Tshiebwe finishing with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Toppin added 12 points and ten rebounds. Toppin has scored 40 points in the past three games.

Coming off a 23-point performance in a win over Texas A&M last Saturday, Antonio Reeves led all scorers with 16 points. Reeves, Wallace, and Fredrick combined and made all six of Kentucky’s 3-pointers in the easy victory. Fredrick and Wallace added 10 points each.

Kentucky senior guard Sahvir Wheeler came off the bench and played 22 minutes. He scored four points and dished out five assists.

Kentucky now shifts attention to the final Big 12-SEC Challenge and will play host to No. 9 Kansas Saturday at Rupp Arena.

Burger boys

On Tuesday, Kentucky signees Reed Sheppard (North Laurel), Aaron Bradshaw, Justin Edwards, and DJ Wagner were named to the McDonald’s All-American game roster. Rob Dillingham, also a Wildcats signee, was declared ineligible for the game.

Sheppard, son of former Kentucky standout Jeff Sheppard, is the first in-state product to be named to the squad since Chane Behanan in 2011. Sheppard is averaging 23 points and eight rebounds for the Jaguars.