Feb. 23, 2003
Recap?|?Box Score?|?Quotes?|?Photo Gallery
Final score: Kentucky 70, Mississippi State 62
UK is now 22-3 overall, matching the Wildcats’ best start since 1997-98. UK is 12-0 in the SEC. MSU is 17-6 overall, 7-5 in league play, and broke a four-game winning streak.
Kentucky has won 16 in a row, the nation’s longest current winning streak. It is the second-longest victory string of the Tubby Smith era. The Wildcats won the last 13 of the 1998 season and the first four games of 1998-99 for a 17-game streak.
Kentucky swept the SEC Western Division (6-0) for the first time since 1996
Today’s win clinched a single-digit-loss season for the Wildcats.
Kentucky won the game, but broke a 10-game streak of victories with double-digit margins.
The Wildcats shot 53.8 percent from the field today and are 12-0 this season when making at least half their shots. UK is 68-1 in the Tubby Smith era when shooting 50 percent or better.
Kentucky leads the series 79-17. The Wildcats lead MSU 41-4 in Lexington, including 20-1 in Rupp Arena.
Today’s game marked UK’s 350th victory in Rupp Arena. Kentucky has a record of 350-40 (.897) in Rupp Arena. Currently, the Wildcats own a nine-game home winning streak.
UK celebrated its “100 Seasons of Kentucky Basketball” reunion this weekend. The “Fantasy Five” – Dan Issel, Jack Givens, Kyle Macy, Jamal Mashburn, and Tony Delk – was introduced before the game. (Delk and Mashburn could not be in attendance because of NBA commitments.) A total of 105 Wildcat lettermen were introduced at halftime.
MSU drew within 60-55 with 5:13 to play on Mario Austin’s three-point play. UK held MSU scoreless for the next three minutes and the Bulldogs didn’t draw within five points again until 40 seconds remained.
Junior guard Cliff Hawkins had a season-high 14 points.
Senior guard Keith Bogans made a three-pointer in his 28th consecutive game, the third-longest streak in school history. Bogans has made at least one three in every game this season. Bogans also has made at least three three-pointers in six of the last seven games.
Bogans had 18 points today, leaving him in ninth place on the UK career scoring list with 1,768 points. Cotton Nash is eighth with 1,770 points and Tayshaun Prince is seventh with 1,775.
Sophomore forward Chuck Hayes had a career-high six assists.
Senior center Marquis Estill tied his career high for minutes played with 32.
Kentucky returns to action Wednesday at 8 p.m. when the Wildcats play host to the surging Tennessee Volunteers. The game will be a live regional telecast on Jefferson-Pilot Sports.
