After a slow, lack luster start, No. 11 UK men’s basketball was able to get back into a groove as it beat the Missouri Tigers 72-62 in Columbia, Missouri. A sloppy first half kept the game close until the Cats were able to pull away toward the end of the game. 

Being up just one at the half, the Cats allowed Mizzou to stay within striking distance as UK struggled offensively taking care of the ball with 9 turnovers in the first half.  Scoring only 31 points in the first half, UK was led by Isaiah Briscoe and Malik Monk as they both had seven points at halftime, which was almost half of the team’s first half points.

The Tigers were led the entire game by their scrappy sophomore guard Terrence Phillips as he scored 22 points and shot 4-for-6 from three point range. The 22-point outing was a career high for Phillips.   

The player of the game for the Cats was Bam Adebayo as he scored 22 points and pulled down a game and career-high 15 rebounds.  Adebayo showed his force down low as he dominated the game on both sides of the ball.  This was his fourth double-double of the season, and his first 20 and 10 game while at UK.

Coming off of a good game against Georgia, De’Aaron Fox had another stellar performance down the stretch as he scored 13 points in the game to go along with five rebounds and a team high four assists.  Although he played well, Fox seemed to suffer a knee contusion with 7:42 left in the game, but he was able to return.  That will be something to keep an eye on as the Cats prepare for Florida on Saturday.

Foul trouble seemed to get hold of both teams as each team would have players foul out.  For the Cats, it was Isaiah Briscoe who fouled out after scoring nine points and grabbing five rebounds. Despite his play Briscoe seemed to struggle with his ball security as he accounted for six total turnovers on the game. 

With the win over Missouri, the Cats’ record improves to 23-5 on the year and 13-2 in SEC play. 

UK has won its last five games but will need to stay on track as it prepares to face the No. 13 Florida Gators at Rupp Arena on Saturday.  Florida is the last team to beat UK this season, and this game will be for the top spot in the SEC as both teams are tied for the best record in the conference.  The Cats will look to redeem themselves in front of Big Blue Nation as they prepare to bring the regular season to a close.