Jan 19, 2002
SOUTH BEND, Ind.- Keith Bogans just kept shooting.
Bogans broke out of a four-game slump, scoring 23 points to lead No. 12 Kentucky to a 72-65 victory over Notre Dame on Saturday.
“Last year I probably would have been hiding in a hole,” said Bogans, who had shot only 33.3 percent and averaged only seven points the last four games. “If I’m not playing well, I’ve got to stay focused. That’s what I learned.”
Bogans’ first shot, a 3-pointer two minutes into the game, went in and out of the basket, but the miss didn’t fluster him. He took consecutive 3-pointers two minutes later, making both to give the Wildcats (12-4) the lead.
When Notre Dame (12-5) went ahead again, Bogans hit a 17-foot jumper to tie it.
“I just tried to take what the defense gave me. I didn’t try to make too much happen,” Bogans said.
Bogans finished 8-of-12, including 5-of-8 from 3-point range. Bogans’ total was his highest since scoring 25 against Arkansas last year in the Southeastern Conference tournament.
“Whenever they made a run, Keith made a big-time shot for us to break the run,” said Tayshaun Prince, who was held to nine points on 3-of-12 shooting. “For him to step up today was big, especially when I didn’t shoot well.”
The Wildcats took control late in the first half. Jordan Cornette scored on a rebound for Notre Dame to cut the lead to 34-33, but missed a chance to tie the score when he missed the ensuing free throw.
Cliff Hawkins scored on a layup, then stole the ball from Chris Markwood and scored again to give the Wildcats a 38-33 lead. Prince added a 3-pointer as the Wildcats took a 41-35 halftime lead.
Irish coach Mike Brey said the flurry by Kentucky at the end of the half hurt.
“That’s deflating. Even though it’s still a two-possession game, that’s a little deflating,” he said.
Bogans hit a 3-pointer to open the second half to give the Wildcats a 44-35 edge. Notre Dame used a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 44-42, but Kentucky held the Irish scoreless for the next five minutes and opened a 50-42 lead.
“I think we got a little bit frazzled and took some quick shots,” Brey said.
The brightest spot for the Irish was the play of Matt Carroll, who finished with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting. He scored 13 points during a four-minute span midway through the first half.
“He was killing us,” Bogans said. “I think we weren’t planning on him rotating out of the trap. We just had to stay on him and contain him and not let him get any open looks in the second half.”
The Irish shot 50 percent in the first half, but were held to 37.5 percent shooting in the second half.
“We did a good job of keeping them off balance offensively, but they still shot the lights out,” Kentucky coach Tubby Smith said.
Marquis Estill had nine points as Kentucky’s bench contributed 23 points and 12 rebounds. Ryan Humphrey had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Irish, Chris Thomas had 13 points on 4-of-15 shooting with eight assists and David Graves had 12 points.
Kentucky has won eight straight against the Irish and leads the all-time series 39-17.
