Photo: The Kentucky Draft Cats (Cousins, Wall, Patterson, Bledsoe and Orton)

On This Day in UK Basketball History

On December 7, 1957, what was then referred to as “the longest game in UK history” proves fruitful for the Wildcats as they defeat Temple 85-83 in three overtimes. Vernon Hatton scores UK’s final six points to edge the Owls.  Hatton hit a shot from 47 feet against Temple that tied the score at the end of the first overtime.  This remains one of the games that looms largest in the lore of Kentucky basketball.

 

On December 7, 1988, LeRon Ellis scored 37 points against Northwestern State.

 

On December 7, 1996, No. 6 Kentucky defeated No. 8 Indiana, 99-65.  Before 20,074 fans in Freedom Hall, UK’s Derek Anderson (30 points) and Ron Mercer (26) led a Kentucky full-court blitz that annihilated Bobby Knight’s Hoosiers.