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Isaiah Jackson scored Kentucky’s first points of the season plus boxscore and other game notes

Isaiah Jackson got the first points of Kentucky’s season with a jump shot and tallied seven points, plus a blocked shot.

Go here for boxscore.

Team Records and Series Notes

  • This was the season opener for both teams.
  • Now in its 119th season of men’s basketball, is 98-20 in season openers (no season in 1952-53).
  • Kentucky leads the series 11-0, including 9-0 in Lexington.
  • Next: Kentucky hosts Richmond on Sunday at 1 p.m. in the finale of the Bluegrass Showcase. The game will be televised on ESPN.

Player Notes 

  • Other than walk-ons and Riley Welch, every other Wildcat appearing tonight made his first game appearance for Kentucky.
  • Brandon Boston Jr. had game highs with 15 points and seven rebounds, earning a team-best 32 minutes.
  • and each had 12 points and paced in assists with four. Clarke also had a game-high three steals.
  • tallied 10 points and had a good shooting night with a 2-of-3 performance from long range and all four free throws.
  • and Cam’Ron Fletcher each scored nine points on 4-of-5 shooting.
    • Jackson also swatted a team-high-tying two shots.
  • had eight points on 4-of-6 shooting with a team-high-tying two blocks.

Coach

  • Beginning his 12th season in Lexington, Calipari is now 331-77 at UK.
  • Beginning his 29th season as a head coach, he has a 776-217 all-time on-court record.
  • UK is 268-44 vs. Associated Press unranked foes under Calipari.
  • UK is 11-1 in season openers under Calipari and 12-0 in home openers.

Team Notes

  • Kentucky limited to 45 points. The Wildcats are 78-0 under Calipari when keeping the opponent to 55 or fewer points.
    • It’s the fewest points by a UK opponent since a 79-44 win over Abilene Christian in the 2019 NCAA Tournament.
    • It’s the fewest points allowed in a season opener since an 85-45 win over Grand Canyon in 2014-15.
  • Morehead shot 34% from the field. UK is 203-19 (.914) under Calipari when keeping the opponent to 40% or less.
  • Four Wildcats scored in double figures and seven had at least eight points.
  • Kentucky led by as many as 39 points during the game. UK is 282-8 (.972) under Calipari when leading by at least 10 points at any time in the contest.

In the First Half

  • The starting lineup consisted of freshmen Devin Askew, Brandon Boston Jr., Terrence Clarke and Isaiah Jackson, along with senior transfer Olivier Sarr.
    • Davion Mintz and Lance Ware were UK’s first substitutes at the 14:35 mark.
  • Kentucky never trailed, although there was a tie at 2-2.
  • Jackson got the first points of the season with a jump shot and tallied seven points, plus a blocked shot, in the first 6:09 of the game before exiting with his second foul.
  • Mintz made the first 3-pointer of the season at 12:53, giving UK its first double-digit lead of the season at 15-4.
  • Kentucky led by as many as 20 points at 43-23 before settling for a 45-26 lead at intermission. Clarke played the entire half and led the Cats with 10 points.

In the Second Half

  • Kentucky opened the second half with the original starting lineup.
  • The Wildcats lengthened the lead to as many as 39 points at 81-42.
Related Topics

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On This Day In UK Basketball History

On December 5, 1953, Cawood Ledford broadcasts his first game as the radio “Voice of the Wildcats.”

 

On December 5, 1953, Cliff Hagan scored 51 points against Temple.

 

On December 5, 2009, freshman John Wall bounced back from a bout with dehydration and a queasy encounter with an IV drip to finish with 16 points -- including the clinching free throws with 4.3 seconds left -- seven assists, five rebounds and three steals to lift the Wildcats to a 68-66 victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels.  This was the first signature win of Calipari's tenure and proved his rebuilding job was well ahead of schedule.

 

Wildcats Born on This Date

December 5, 1949

50 Randy Noll

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