Field Level Media
Jan 23, 2021
Brandon Boston Jr. scored 18 points as Kentucky ended a three-game losing streak by beating LSU 82-69 in an SEC game Saturday in Lexington, Ky.
Keion Brooks Jr. added 15 points, Olivier Sarr scored 13 and Davion Mintz had 11 for the Wildcats (5-9, 4-3 SEC).
Trendon Watford had 26 points and 10 rebounds and Cameron Thomas scored 18 to lead the Tigers (10-4, 5-3), who suffered their second consecutive lopsided loss after a four-game winning streak. They lost at home to No. 18 Alabama 105-75 on Tuesday.
Kentucky led by 13 points at halftime, but four Tigers made free throws as they pulled within seven points barely three minutes into the second half.
LSU got within five points twice before Boston made a 3-pointer, converted a three-point play and added a layup to increase the Wildcats' lead to 64-51 midway through the half.
The Tigers made just one field goal in more than seven minutes before heating up.
Watford scored five points and Thomas had two as LSU got within 70-63 with more than six minutes remaining.
Sarr answered with four consecutive free throws that started a 7-0 run that pushed the lead back to double digits.
The Tigers got to the foul line for four shots but made just two before Boston scored on a layup, Mintz added a free throw and Brooks made a layup to put Kentucky in command with an 82-65 lead with two minutes left.
In the opening half, the Wildcats used a 10-0 run that finished with consecutive 3-pointers by Mintz and Boston to take a 12-4 lead.
Thomas ended the run by making a free throw before Mintz and Dontaie Allen each made a 3-pointer as Kentucky took a 23-9 lead.
The Wildcats increased the lead to 16 points before Thomas scored six points -- including the Tigers' first made 3-pointer in six tries -- to help LSU close within 37-27.
Kentucky rebuilt the lead to 16 before Watford and Javonte Smart each made a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 49-36 at halftime.
--Field Level Media