Dec. 8, 2012

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) – Alex Poythress and Archie Goodwin each scored 15 points to help lead Kentucky past Portland 74-46 on Saturday.

The Wildcats (6-3) won their second game in a row after a series of losses, which culminated with a 64-55 loss to Baylor Dec. 1 and dropped them from the Associated Press Top 25 poll for the first time under fourth-year coach John Calipari.

Julius Mays scored 13 points and Kyle Wiltjer had 12 for the Wildcats. Wiltjer had struggled in Kentucky’s last five games, shooting 4 of 27 from 3-point range.

He countered his slump with a different approach against the Pilots, opting for higher-percentage shots and went 5 of 8 from the field and 1 of 3 from behind the arc.

Ryan Nicholas finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds for Portland.

The Pilots (3-6) held court at Rupp Arena early in the first half, tied 10-10 nearly nine minutes into the game. But Poythress scored two quick baskets to spark a 16-0 Kentucky run.

Portland closed the gap to 10 points early in the second half, but the Wildcats followed with a 9-0 run to help seal the game.

Freshman center Nerlens Noel suffered a left leg injury and limped around in pregame warm-ups, but he still played 32 minutes in the Wildcats’ win. He finished with seven points, nine rebounds and seven blocks.

It was the most blocks in a game for a Kentucky player this season.