Alex Poythress – photo by Tammie Brown | WildcatWorld.com
Alex Poythress and Archie Goodwin each scored 15 points to help lead Kentucky past Portland 74-46 on Saturday. The Wildcats (6-3) won their second game in a row after a series of losses, which culminated with a 64-55 loss to Baylor Dec. 1 and dropped them from the Associated Press Top 25 poll for the first time under fourth-year coach John Calipari.
Four Wildcats finished in double figures: Poythress, Goodwin, senior Julius Mays (13) and sophomore Kyle Wiltjer (12).
Ryan Nicholas finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds for Portland.
The Pilots (3-6) held court at Rupp Arena early in the first half. But Poythress scored two quick baskets to spark a 16-0 Kentucky run from which the Pilots did not recover.
Freshman center Nerlens Noel suffered a left leg injury and limped around in pregame warm-ups, but he still played 32 minutes in the Wildcats’ win. He finished with seven points, nine rebounds and seven blocks.
