December 29, 1998
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) – With Southeastern Conference play only four days away,No. 7 Kentucky wasn’t about to let a rare two-game losing streak grow.
The Wildcats (11-3) took out their frustrations on defenseless TennesseeState, shooting 74 percent in the second half for a 97-47 rout of the Tigers onTuesday night.
“We needed a game like this heading into conference play on Saturdayagainst Florida,” said sophomore Ryan Hogan, who scored 12 points in his firstcareer start. “We moved the ball around and finally shot the ball the way wecan shoot it.
“The last week or so we haven’t been where Kentucky is used to being, andthat’s on top.”
In last week’s losses to Duke and Louisville – the Wildcats’ first two-gameskid since the 1993-94 season – Kentucky shot only 40 percent from the fieldand hit 5-of-31 3-pointers.
Against the Tigers (4-5), Kentucky shot 56 percent from the field and hit8-of-21 3-pointers. Jamaal Magloire finished with 15 points and eight reboundsas all 12 players who saw action scored.
“I was impressed with our passing and how we took care of the basketball,”Kentucky coach Tubby Smith said. “We played unselfishly to score points. Ithought we shot well and really defended well.”
Tennessee State kept the game close early but was quickly worn down by theWildcats’ size and depth. Kentucky scored 35 points off 25 Tennessee Stateturnovers and outrebounded the Tigers 43-31.
“Kentucky’s continual pressure wore us down,” Tennessee State coachFrankie Allen said. “Their aggressiveness and athleticism, along with thenumber of players they threw at us, really took us out of our game.
“Their inside guys were just too tough and aggressive for us. They just hadtoo many weapons.”
Leading by only four points, the Wildcats broke the game open with a 15-0run for a 32-13 lead with 5:21 left in the first half. The run featured a dunkand 3-pointer by Tayshaun Prince.
Wayne Turner’s lone first-half steal made him the Wildcats’ career leaderwith 202, passing Tony Delk.
A 16-0 run over a 6:03 stretch in the second half put Kentucky up 67-31. Sixplayers scored during the run, which was punctuated by two dunks by Magloire.
“We played well tonight but we can always do better,” Magloire said. “Thefact that we’re getting better every game, regardless of whether we win orlose, shows that we have the potential to be a great team.”
Michael Bradley had 12 points for Kentucky and six players added at leastseven points each.
Jamie Roberts, who came into the game averaging 20.1 points, was held to 14on 4-of-17 shooting for Tennessee State.
