John Calipari, the head coach of Kentucky, has been stating for weeks that freshman Justin Edwards’ big game was only a matter of time.
That game was on Saturday, and it came at a pivotal moment.
Edwards was having the game of his UK career with the Cats visiting No. 13 Alabama. He led No. 17 Kentucky to a 117-95 victory over Alabama in Rupp Arena, making his first 10 field goals, including four from beyond the arc, to record a career-high 28 points.
Edwards made history in the UK by becoming the fourth player to attempt and make at least eight shots in a game without missing. He joins Kenny Walker (11 of 11 against Western Kentucky in 1993), Rodney Dent (12 of 12 against Morehead State
The Cats had five players score in double figures, so Edwards wasn’t the only one. Antonio Reeves finished with five assists and 24 points. A career-high 18 points, five rebounds, and four blocked shots were scored by Zvonimir Ivisic. Adou Thiero scored 12 points, and Rob Dillingham scored 16.
Ugonna Onyenso’s shot in the lane gave Kentucky (19-8, 9-5 SEC Conference) the early lead, but Alabama quickly responded with a 7-1 run to take an early 7-3 lead. The Cats then took a 9-7 lead after scoring six straight, five of which came from Reeves.
Before Alabama scored five straight points to take a 19-14 lead, the game was knotted at nine, twelve, and fourteen. Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham, and Reeves would all score threes for Kentucky.
Grant Nelson’s slam gave Alabama a 26-25 lead, but Dillingham’s spectacular layup—which momentarily stood atop the backboard—put Kentucky up 27–26. Cats led 28–26 thanks to a free throw from Onyenso.
With 8:42 remaining in the half, the Cats led 33-28 after a D.J. Wagner layup, a steal, a score, and a free throw from Adou Thiero, after Rylen Griffen’s three-pointer had put the Tide ahead 29-28. Thiero’s layup and Justin Edwards’ jumper extended the run, giving UK nine consecutive points and a 37-29 advantage.
Following an Alabama basket by Mark Sears, Kentucky scored 11 straight points, one of which came from a Zvonimir Ivisic three-pointer, to take a 48-31 lead.
After exchanging baskets early in the second half, Alabama pulled within 13 points, 64–51. But after that, Reeves and Thiero scored baskets for the Cats to increase their lead to 68-51. With 15:15 remaining, UK led 75-54 thanks to three points from Edwards, a Sheppard slam, and a Sears three-pointer for Bama.
Edwards’ reverse layup and fast break basket extended the run, giving UK a 77-54 lead. The Cats led 80–54 at the end of the 12-0 thanks to a Reeves layup and free throw. Nine of UK’s initial ten shots were made in the second half.
The assault went on. Ivisic scored four straight points after Alabama scored to make it 80-56.
The Cats would go on to build a 37-point advantage, 104-67, before settling for a 22-point triumph.
On Tuesday evening, Kentucky will play its next game at Mississippi State in Starkville. Kickoff is scheduled at 7 p.m. ET, and ESPN will broadcast the event.
Leave a Reply