KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kentucky playing in its 7th Elite Eight game under Coach Calipari and leading Auburn at the half, 35-30.
The Wildcats jumped out to a 7-0 lead as Ashton Hagans found Reid Travis for a lay-in, E.J. Montomery would get a block that led to a Tyler Herro lay-up and Keldon Johnson made two free throws.
After Auburn got with 4, P.J. Washington hit a short shot off the glass and then Immanuel Quickley and Herro hit back-to-back three pointers to push the lead to 17-7. UK would double up the Tigers as Washington hit another short shot to put the Cats up 22-11.
The Tigers got within five again when Washington scored five straight. First Keldon Johnson found him for a slam. Then, Hagans hit him for a short jumper and he was fouled. UK was back in front 27-17.
Auburn finished the half by hitting five of its last seven shots and went on a 10-5 run. Kentucky would go into the break up 35-30. P.J. Washington came off the bench to lead the Wildcats with 15 points while Johnson added 7 rebounds.
