SportsBBN Tonight

Actions

Kentucky holds off late Auburn push to snap losing skid

Kentucky holds of late Auburn push to snap losing streak
Auburn Kentucky Basketball
Posted
and last updated

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Kentucky saw a 14 point second half lead slip away late against Auburn, but the Wildcats held on to snap a 4-game losing streak with an 82-80 win.

After trailing 36-30 at halftime, the Wildcats came out scorching in the second half, opening on a 30-11 run in pursuit of that 14 point lead with 10:36 to go.

Things would get dicey, however.

The Tigers would put together a couple of runs before tying the game at 77 with under a minute to play.

For the second consecutive game, Davion Mintz hit a clutch three-pointer late, hitting the eventual game-winner with 33 seconds left to make it 80-77.

After making 14 three-pointers in Tuesday's loss against Arkansas, Kentucky made 11 more on Saturday.

B.J. Boston remained hot from beyond the arc. He was 4-5 from downtown on Tuesday, and followed it by hitting 5-8 on Saturday. He finished with 17 points for the second consecutive game and also had four steals.

Isaiah Jackson was a force on both ends He had a team-high 18 points and 11 rebounds. Jackson also had two of Kentucky's 10 blocks. Olivier Sarr had four.

Sarr, Mintz, and Devin Askew each finished with 9 points while Keion Brooks Jr. finished with 12 points.

Kentucky was outrebounded 44-36 but forced 17 turnovers that led to 24 points.

This was the break the Wildcats needed desperately. They've competed in 95% of their games this season and always fell short. The loss to Arkansas was looked at as a turning point as the team didn't collapse in the final four minutes.

Granted, they almost saw this one slip away, however, walking off of the floor with a win is what's most important.

Auburn hasn't beaten Kentucky at Rupp Arena since 1988.

Kentucky will now hit the road to face Vanderbilt on Wednesday at 7 p.m.