In their SEC opener, Missouri vs Kentucky basketball matchup at Rupp Arena
The Missouri vs Kentucky basketball game was a chance of pace in the early 2021-2022 college basketball season. This would be the SEC opener for both teams after coming off of the Christmas break. The SEC has some fierce competitors this year, so the Wildcats will be tested as they continue to figure out who they really are. After a lackluster performance against Notre Dame, Kentucky has looked like one of the best teams in the country in their last two games.
ThisSEC opener was played in Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY. A total of 19,361 fans were in attendance during a season that has seen a dip in season ticket holders within the lower levels to show up to games.
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The University of Kentucky basketball team would be looking to continue their hot streak after two replacement games with big performances against North Carolina and Western Kentucky University.
Game Final Score
The Missouri vsKentucky basketball final game score was 56-83. The Wildcats get their first South Eastern Conference win by a margin of 27 points, just shy of the “Cats by 90” fan-favorite slogan.
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Recap
UK Basketball entered this game ranked No. 18 in the country, after dropping out of the Top 25 following their loss to Notre Dame but reentering following the next two wins.
This game would produce the Wildcats’ first SEC win as conference play begins and every game matters a bit more towards Selection Sunday.
After a rough outing in the last couple of game, Keion Brooks Jr. lead the Cats for the second time this season with 17 points and 9 rebounds. He would go 7 of 11 from the floor, and was a single rebound away from a double-double.
Oscar Tshiebwe put up another double-double with 20 rebounds and 13 points. This makes 48 rebounds over the last two games combined. That puts the leading rebounder in the country on pace to shred records at every new turn. His 48 rebounds in a 2-game span ties for the most by any D-I player over the last 25 seasons in college basketball. Tshiebwe has logged four 20-rebound games this season, while no other player has more than one thus far this season.
The Wildcats shot 28-of-65 from the floor, and 5-of-17 from behind the arch. That equates to 43.1% from the field shooting, with an impressive 29.4% from behind the three point line. While that shooting percentage is below Kentucky’s usual outing, they were still able to score in the 80s. Part of that was due to a solid 84.6% from the free throw line, on 22-of-26 from the charity stripe.
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Box Score
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Highlights Video:
Full Game Replay
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