March 14, 2002
ST. LOUIS –
Kentucky wins the game, 83-68. With the win, UK improves to 21-9 on the season, while Valparaiso finishes at 25-8.
Kentucky’s 83 points were the most scored in the Jones Dome in eight collegiate basketball games. The site has been used for both NCAA Tournament and neutral site games. The previous high was 75 by St. Louis in its win over Missouri in Dec. ’99.
Kentucky improves its NCAA Tournament record to 88-37 and stands at 34-9 all-time in the first round. The Wildcats have won their last 11 consecutive first-round games.
UK led 41-23 at the half, its largest lead at the break since leading Kentucky State 55-32 on Dec. 15. The 18-point deficit was the largest of the season for Valparaiso, who hadn’t trailed an opponent since trailing IUPUI by five at the break on Jan. 24. The Crusaders went on to win that game by one point in overtime.
Kentucky shot 49.1% from the field, it’s highest percentage since shooting 58.3% against South Carolina in Rupp Arena on Feb. 2. The Cats held VU to 39.7% shooting, the 14th team to shoot below 40.0% this season against UK’s defense. It was Valparaiso’s worst shooting performance since a 34.4% effort in a loss at Southern Utah on Jan. 10.
The Wildcats won the battle of the boards, 40-32. Kentucky is 15-4 this season when outrebounding its opponent.
The Wildcats are 2-1 all-time when playing in the Jones Dome, formerly known as the TWA Dome. The Cats also are 2-1 in domes this season.
Keith Bogans finished with a game-high 21 points, his most since scoring 23 against Notre Dame on Jan. 19 and the first time he’s scored 20 since the Florida game on Jan. 29.
Also scoring in double figures for the Cats were Tayshaun Prince with 13, Marquis Estill with 12 and Jules Camara with 11.
UK’s bench outscored the VU reserves 26-15, while outrebouding the Crusaders 13-9.
Kentucky advances to Saturday’s second round. The Cats will take on the winner of the Marquette/Tulsa game. UK is 7-5 all-time against Marquette and 4-0 against Tulsa, which includes a 74-53 win by the Tubby Smith-coached Wildcats against his former team on Dec. 20, 1997.
