Devin Booker – photo by Walter Cornett | WildcatWorld.com
Devin Booker and Willie Cauley-Stein each scored 15 points and top-ranked Kentucky shook off the shock of losing junior forward Alex Poythress by rolling past No. 21 North Carolina 84-70 on Saturday.
With Poythress courtside two days after sustaining a season-ending knee injury in practice, the Wildcats (11-0) combined depth, length and strong shooting to post a convincing win over the Tar Heels (6-3).
Booker returned from a one-game absence to make all three long-range attempts and 5 of 8 overall on a day that Kentucky shot 57 percent from the field.
Kentucky never trailed and eventually built a 19-point second half lead, though North Carolina got within 66-57 midway through when Marcus Paige (14 points) warmed up from outside. But the Wildcats used a 14-5 run over 5:56 for a cushion.
Aaron Harrison added 14 points and Trey Lyles had nine in place of Poythress.
