LEXINGTON, Ky- After a slow start that saw Texas A&M race out to an early 12-2 lead, it was Kentucky’s bench that sparked a 25-6 run that helped the Wildcats take the early lead and hold on for a 85-74 win over Texas A&M.
Down 10, Nick Richards began the scoring run with a dunk, followed by an old fashioned three point play. EJ Montgomery then followed Richards with four straight points of his own, capped off with Immanuel Quickley chipping in four straight. At that point UK had regained the lead at 17-16. Kentucky’s bench scored 13 of their first 17 points.
The game got tight towards the end of the second half, with Texas A&M able to pull within as close as three, but Tyler Herro came through with big baskets to hold off a late Aggies run.
Herro led the Cats with 21 points and Ashton Hagans chipped in a career-high 18 for Kentucky. The Wildcats shot it 51% in the game, meanwhile the Aggies were hot from the floor as well at 48%, but the difference was 19 turnovers for Texas A&M compared to just 13 for UK.
Kentucky improves to 11-3 (1-1) with the win and will host Vanderbilt on Saturday.
