TUSCALOOSA — The 25th ranked Kentucky Wildcats could overcome slow starts in each half as the Alabama Crimson Tide won 78-52 at Coleman Coliseum on Saturday.
Alabama took an early 11-2 lead, including the first eight points of the game. But the Wildcats were able to battle back, behind some tough defensive play, to cut the deficit to one on two separate occasions.
But the Crimson Tide (13-2, 3-0) closed out the first half on a 15-5 run to take a 35-24 lead into the locker room.
Again the Wildcats would start slow, as the Tide started out the second half with a 13-3 run to take a 19-point lead.
Kentucky (10-5, 1-2 SEC) struggled to find the bottom of the net all day long, hitting 21 of their 73 shots in the game and making just five shots from behind the arc.
Antonio Reeves scored 20 points off the bench for Kentucky. Reeves went seven of 13 from the field, including hitting four trifectas.
Sahvir Wheeler addedd 15 points and three assists for Kentucky. Oscar Tshiebwe was held to just four points and six rebounds.
Kentucky will face South Carolina on Tuesday at Rupp Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on ESPN2.
Kentucky 24 28 = 52
Alabama 35 43 = 78
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