Dec. 10, 2002
By MARY FOSTER
AP Sports Writer
NEW ORLEANS – Keith Bogans enjoyed the trip to New Orleans. He just hopes he can have two more good games here – in the Southeastern Conference Tournament and the Final Four.
“I like playing here a lot,” said Bogans, who scored 21 points – the fourth time this season he’s topped 20 points – as No. 12 Kentucky beat TULANE 76-60 Tuesday night. “I hope I have a couple more big games here. That would be great.”
Bogans hit 5-of-5 from 3-point range as Kentucky outshot the Green Wave 55 percent to 43 percent from the field, and 56 percent to 43 percent in 3-pointers. Bogans also had a career-high six steals.
“Keith Bogans was fantastic,” TULANE coach Shawn Finney said. “Especially the 3-pointers.”
The Wildcats (5-1) took the lead less than two minutes into the game and never trailed. Waitari Marsh led TULANE (3-5) with 19 points.
Jules Camara scored 12 points for Kentucky, and Marquis Estill and Gerald Fitch added 10 apiece. Chuck Hays had 10 rebounds for the Wildcats.
Kentucky visited TULANE as a favor to Finney. He and Kentucky coach Tubby Smith met at midcourt and hugged before the game. Finney, in his third season at TULANE, served on Smith’s staff at Kentucky from 1997-2000 before taking over the Green Wave.
It was the fourth straight win for Kentucky, but Smith said he saw no signs of a letdown from his team.
“It wasn’t a high-electrical environment,” Smith said. “That tells you a lot about the guys ability to get focused and stay focused.”
It was the third straight loss for TULANE, but its best effort in the streak.
The Green Wave had turned the ball over 39 times in the last two games. Against the Wildcats, TULANE had 12 turnovers to 16 for Kentucky.
Kentucky led 11-9 with 14:10 left in the first half, but outshot the Green Wave 59 percent to 42 percent and outrebounded them 20-10 in the first half.
Bogans lofted a 3-pointer from the top of the key as the buzzer sounded to give Kentucky a 45-26 lead at halftime.
“I did a lot of work this summer, really tried to stay in shape,” Bogans said. “I think that’s showing up now.”
In the second half, TULANE’s scrappy defense held the Wildcats to just five points and two baskets over the first four minutes. But the Green Wave made little headway, sinking three of eight to trail 50-35 with 15:45 remaining.
Kentucky steadily pulled away, although the Green Wave held the Wildcats below the 60 percent they shot in the last three games.
“They’re taller than us at every spot,” Finney said. “So every one had to shoot over a hand all night.”
