LIVE BLOG: UK’s pursuit for perfection continues against Arkansas
February 28, 2015
UK starters: Aaron Harrison, Andrew Harrison, Karl-Anthony Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein and Trey Lyles.
Arkansas starters: Rashad Madden, Alandise Harris, Bobby Portis, Michael Qualls and Anton Beard.
No. 1 UK faces No. 18 Arkansas. The Razorbacks are the first ranked team since the Cats have played since No. 4 Louisville in December.
First media timeout, UK leads 14-8. Cats opened up the game on an 11-2 run, highlighted by a Lyles dunk and a Cauley-Stein block.
Under-12 timeout, UK leads 16-10. Lyles has a game-high six points, two of them coming from dunks.
Cats haven’t scored in over three minutes, but still lead 16-10.
UK secures a double-digit lead at the 9:15 mark in the first half.
Under-eight timeout, Cats lead 21-12 over the Razorbacks. Arkansas shooting under 30 percent in the half.
Arkansas coach Mike Anderson with the timeout. Cats out in front 32-16 after a 6-0 run.
Last media timeout of the half. UK up 32-19 over Arkansas. Razorbacks are 0-8 from the three.
Lyles leading the way for the Cats with 10 points on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting. The forward also has three dunks.
Halftime. Cats lead 42-26 over the Razorbacks thanks to double-digit scoring by Lyles and Andrew Harrison.
Lyles had four dunks in the first half (part of his 12-point performance). Each one ignited the Rupp Arena crowd more.
Calipari not happy with the Cats’ defense early on in the second half, calls a timeout.
UK leads 48-33 three minutes into the second half.
Cats go on an 8-0 run to push their lead out to 23.
Under-12 timeout, UK leads by 20 (63-43) over Arkansas. Cats shooting 69 percent in the half.
With 7:39 remaining, the Cats have stretched their lead out to 78-47 over the Razorbacks. Four UK players are in double-figures.
Razorbacks have gone on a 10-2 run, but UK still leads by 23 with 3:59 to go in the game.
UK up 83-64 over Arkansas with 1:27 left in the game.
Final. UK secures its 29th victory of the year with a 84-67 win over Arkansas.