Home Football #9 UK Basketball vs Mount St. Mary’s

#9 UK Basketball vs Mount St. Mary’s

November 23, 2019

The University of Kentucky men’s basketball team hosted Mount St. Mary’s on November 22. They came into a game barely beating out Utah Valley the Monday before.

With a bad loss and close win, the wildcats had some ground to make up to prove to the haters they are contenders for the title this year.

The cats started So. Ashton Hagans (UK G), Fr. Tyrese Maxey (UK G), Fr. Kahlil Whitney (UK F), Gr. Nate Sestina (UK F), and Jr. Nick Richards (UK F). With EJ Montgomery healthy and being the first sub of the game and Immanuel Quickley the second, the cats had nine scholarship players available for the first time since their big win against Michigan State.

The boys began the game with consecutive dunks by Richards and Whitney. UK lead the game at 17-11, but Mount St. Mary’s went on a 7-0 run to give them their first lead of the game.

Kentucky bounced back later on in the first half with a 6-0 run to go back on top. The score would be UK 39 and Mount St. Mary’s 34 going into the half.

Going on a 26-7 spurt to begin the second half, the cats would put distance between them and MSM, making 10 of their 11 shots including four 3-pointers. “Again, we’re a team that’s trying to work all kinds of stuff. So, they came out in the second half and played it,” said Coach Cal.

At 5:24, MSM would inch a little closer and only be down by 15, but a 7-0 run by the cats would end those hopes for the Mountaineers comeback.

Hagans ended the game with 16 points, a career tying 7 rebounds, and a season-high 7 assists.

Richards had 19 points, 6 rebounds, and blocked 3 shots.

Quickley returned after a 1-game absence, he ended with 13 points and has hit a 3-pointer in every game he has played this season.

Maxey scored 11 points with a season-high 5 assists.

Montgomery made his debut after missing the last three games with playing for 15 minutes and made 7 points with 6 rebounds.

Final Score: UK 82 – MSM 62.

The cats stay at home for their next game on Sunday, November 24 when they take on the Cardinals of Lamar University. Tip off is at 6 pm on the SEC Network.

Photos by Austin Johnson/ ACE