UK MEN’S BASKETBALL POSTGAME NOTES
KENTUCKY VS UCLA
SMOOTHIE KING CENTER | NEW ORLEANS
DEC. 23, 2017
ATTENDANCE: 8,119
Final Score: UCLA 83, #7/6 KENTUCKY 75
 
Team Records and Series Notes

• UCLA snapped a seven-game UK winning streak, dropping the Wildcats to 9-2.  UCLA is 9-3.

• Kentucky leads the series 8-7, including 5-5 at neutral sites. 
  • UCLA has won three of the last five in the series.
• Kentucky’s next game will be against Louisville in Rupp Arena on Friday.  Game time is 1 p.m. ET and it will be televised on CBS.  

 
In the First Half

• Kentucky’s starting lineup featured Quade Green, Hamidou Diallo, PJ Washington, Kevin Knox and Nick Richards for the ninth time. That lineup has a 7-2 record.
• Diallo connected on a 3-pointer with 16:11 remaining, giving Kentucky 1,024 consecutive games with a 3-pointer.
• The first half featured two ties and seven lead changes.
• With UCLA ahead 26-21, Kentucky scored the next 13 points over 4:02 to go ahead 34-26.
  • UK forced five UCLA turnovers during a Bruin scoreless stretch that took more than 5:30 off the clock.
• UCLA closed the first half on a 10-2 run, capped by a Kris Wilkes 3-pointer with 26 seconds remaining, to finish the first half tied at 39.
• Kentucky committed five first-half turnovers, tied for its second fewest in a first half this season.

 
In the Second Half

• UCLA scored the first eight points of the half.
  • Stretched to the first half UCLA scored 16 unanswered points over 3:32 to take its largest lead – 11 points, 50-39.
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit a floater at the 17:31 mark to stop what was a broader 21-2 UCLA run over 4:55 of game time.
    • Starting with Gilgeous-Alexander’s deuce, UK climbed back into the game with a 9-0 run over 1:34 capped by a Knox dunk to get within two at 48-50 with 15:57 remaining.
  • Knox tied the game at 52-52 when he knocked down a trey with 14:36 to play.
  • UCLA went on a 10-0 run over 3:34 to take a 71-59 lead with 7:33 to play.
  • Kentucky climbed back into the game with a 10-2 run over 3:16.
    • UK trailed 73-69 at the under-four media timeout with 2:56 to play, but UK could get no closer than four points down the stretch.

 
Team Notes

• UCLA made a season-high 12 3-pointers. That was also tied for the most UK has allowed this season.
• UCLA won the rebounding, 37-36, snapping a streak of nine consecutive games in which the Wildcats won or tied on the boards.
• Kentucky attempted a season-high 68 field goals.
• UK shot 21 3s, one shy of the season high, which came a week ago vs. Virginia Tech.
• UCLA’s 83 points were the second most by a UK opponent this year. UK allowed 86 to Virginia Tech.
  • UCLA shot 48 percent from the field. Only Virginia Tech (53 percent) has shot a better percentage against UK this year.
  • UCLA shot 87 percent (13 of 15) from the free-throw line. That was the best percentage by a UK opponent this season.
• UK’s 75 points were its fifth fewest in a game this season.
  • UK’s 11 made and 16 attempted free throws were its second fewest in each of those categories this year. UK was 3 of 15 from the line against ETSU on Nov. 17
• UCLA’s 12 steals tied Kansas for the most by a UK opponent this season. Those are the two teams to beat UK this year.
• UCLA committed 14 fouls, the fewest by a UK opponent this year. Kansas committed the second fewest fouls (15). 

 
Player Notes  

• Hamidou Diallo scored a team-high 18 points.

  • He’s scored in double-figures in five games in a row.
  • His 12 first-half points were the second most he’s scored in a first half. He tallied 13 vs. Vermont on Nov. 12.
    • He’s finished the first half with double-digit points four times this season.
• Wenyen Gabriel scored a season-high 16 points, sparked by a career-high-tying three made 3s.
  • It was his most points since his career-high 23 vs. LSU on Feb. 7, 2017. 
• Kevin Knox scored 15 points.
  • He’s scored in double figures in 10 of 11 games this year.
• Nick Richards had seven points and six rebounds.
  • Richards made 3-of-5 field goal attempts, marking an eighth straight game where he’s made at least 60 percent of his shots.
• PJ Washington scored nine points.
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tallied a team-high five assists.
  • He’s tallied at least three assists in all-but two games this year.

 
Coach John Calipari

• Calipari has a 703-195 all-time on-court record.
• Calipari is now 258-55 at Kentucky.
• Calipari is 4-4 vs. UCLA in his career.