Kentucky 77, South Carolina 55: Julius Mays had 15 points, including four 3-pointers, to lead a balanced scoring attack as the Wildcats routed the visiting Gamecocks.
Kentucky (16-6, 7-2 SEC) shot 61.4 percent from the field while holding South Carolina (12-10, 2-7) to 28.8 percent shooting, including 21.7 percent from 3-point range.
Five Kentucky players finished in double figures, with Willie Cauley-Stein and Archie Goodwin finishing with 13 apiece. Ryan Harrow had 12 points on 6-for-6 shooting, and Nerlens Noel had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Kentucky raced out to an 11-2 lead three minutes into the game, but the Gamecocks rallied back and took their first lead on Eric Smith's layup with 10:21 to play in the first half. After a timeout, the Wildcats went on a 28-6 run to end the first half, taking a 21-point advantage into halftime.
The Gamecocks were led by Michael Carrera's 18 points, but no other South Carolina player reached double figures.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Kentucky committed 17 turnovers to just seven by the Gamecocks. … South Carolina will look to break its three-game losing streak when it hosts Tennessee on Sunday. ... Kentucky stays at home for its next contest, a Saturday visit by Auburn.
South Carolina | Kentucky | |
Michael Carrera 18 | Scoring | Julius Mays 15 |
Damien Leonard 2 | Assists | Ryan Harrow 4 |
Michael Carrera 6 | Rebounds | Nerlens Noel 10 |
Bruce Ellington 7 | Free Throws Made | Archie Goodwin 7 |
Mindaugas Kacinas 2 | Steals | Archie Goodwin 1 |
Lakeem Jackson 2 | Blocks | Nerlens Noel 5 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
South Carolina | 55 | 28.8 | 5-23 | 16-24 | 5 | 23 | 3 | 5 | 7 |
Kentucky | 77 | 61.4 | 5-8 | 18-28 | 13 | 41 | 9 | 3 | 17 |