After topping the century mark in each of its last two home games, much was expected from the No. 15 Kentucky offense again in the home finale against Vanderbilt. And again, the Cats delivered a big-time offensive performance.
Kentucky (22-8, 11-5 Southeastern Conference) got 23 points from Rob Dillingham and 20 from Antonio Reeves to beat Vanderbilt 93-77. For Reeves, it was his sixth consecutive 20-point game.
D.J. Wagner scored 11 points and Justin Edwards had 10. Reed Sheppard had just eight points but was able to dish out 11 assists, tying his season high.
Kentucky struggled from the field early, making just two of its first eight shots, as Vanderbilt took a 6-4 lead. An Adou Thiero layup tied the game at 6-6 before a Reeves runner gave UK an 8-6 advantage.
Vandy would take an 11-10 lead on a Tyrin Lawrence three and the ‘Dores would lead 13-11 before a Wagner three gave the Cats a 14-13 lead. However, Vandy answered with a 9-2 run to take a 22-16 advantage with 9:16 left in the half.
Kentucky would get a pair of Edwards free throws and a Thiero dunk to cut the deficit to two, 22-20, before Vanderbilt scored four in a row to stretch its lead to 26-20. Another Wagner three and a Reeves jumper cut the deficit to 26-25, but the ‘Dores again scored four in a row to lead 30-25.
That’s when Dillingham went on a point-producing barrage. During a 17-8 run that gave UK a 42-38 lead, Dillingham scored 12 points and assisted on a Sheppard three. After a late Vandy basket, Reeves hit a three at the halftime buzzer and the Cats led 45-40 at the break.
Kentucky missed its first three shots of the second half before Edwards hit a three from the right side, giving UK a 48-43 advantage. In fact, Edwards would score UK’s first eight points of the half as the Cats built a 53-45 lead.
Vanderbilt would not go away. In fact, the ‘Dores went on a 7-2 run to get within three, 55-52, before Dillingham made consecutive baskets to extend the UK lead to 59-52 with 13:01 to play.
As he did in the first half, Dillingham caught fire again in the second. He scored seven straight UK points as the Cats built a 68-55 lead with 9:25 to play.
The Cats continued to build the lead, eventually leading by as many as XX points before settling for the XX-point victory.
Kentucky completes the regular season on Saturday, facing SEC regular season champion Tennessee in Knoxville. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. ET and the game can be seen on CBS.
