Ashton Hagans went back to Georgia and posted a new career high with 23 points in helping lead UK to a 69-49 win over the Bulldogs.
Another slow start for the Wildcats as Georgia’s first five baskets were dunks. Kentucky also hit just one of its first five shots. Reid Travis kept the Cats in it with a couple of early lay-in’s.
Kentucky then went on a 12-3 run as Tyler Herro hit a lay-up, Jemarl Baker knocked down his first three point attempt, P.J. Washington hit a three and then Hagans came up with a steal and lay-up. Cats were up 18-14.
Washington looked particularly smooth in the first half. After driving baseline for a slam and then hitting a long two, Kentucky was back in the lead at 29-27.
After starting the game 1-for-7, Hagans got it going with a long two and then he hit a lay-up and was fouled. He missed the free throw but UK had a 33-29 lead.
I’m not sure you could say UK would have a lead with Keldon Johnson not scoring in the first half but that was the case. The Wildcats led 35-31 at the break. Washington and Hagans would lead in the scoring department with 8 apiece. Travis and Herro added 8 each.
Hagans got it going in the second half by scoring the first seven points for the Wildcats. Then, he would drive and dish out an assist to E.J. Montgomery for the lay-in. UK was on a 9-0 run to take a 44-31.
Jemarl Baker added another confident three pointer. Then, Nick Richards hit a jumper in the lane and followed that up with a blocked shot and quick outlet to Hagans for another lay-up. Hagans with another alley-oop assist to Montgomery for a slam. UK had its biggest lead to that point 55-39.
Kentucky would go on to beat Georgia, 69-49. The Wildcats are now 13-3, 3-1 in the SEC. UK was led by the Georgia kid, Ashton Hagans, who had a career high 23 points and for the 6th straight game had at least 3 steals. He had three. Herro added 12, Washington 10.
