(Photo by Andy Lyons / Getty Images)
(Photo by Andy Lyons / Getty Images)
In dire need of a win, BJ Boston delivered exactly what Kentucky needed: three points, and plenty of it. The first-year guard hit five tries on career field to help the Cats overtake Auburn in the second half and hold on for a win. The 82-80 victory makes a three-game losing streak and improves Kentucky to 6-13, 5-7 in SEC play.
Kentucky is behind at halftime, and Kentucky is setting the locker room on fire. The Cats hit five tries in the first 5:30 minutes to take control of the game. By the second media timeout, UK had beaten Auburn 30-13 after scoring just 30 points throughout the first half.
Boston drove Kentucky’s three-point train and buried 5-out-8 at night to score 17 points. He also played aggressively on defense. Boston stole three in the first five minutes and ended the game with four takeaways. Isaiah Jackson was absolutely incredible. The rookie forward ended the evening with a career-high 18 points, 11 rebounds (his first double-double) and two blocks, including the one that ultimately secured a victory in Kentucky.
Despite Kentucky’s excellent play in attack, they could not delay a late run by Auburn. JT Thor was essentially unattended and led all scorers by 24 points. He made one big try after another. Thor’s fifth of the city center reduced the lead of the UK to two, with just over a minute to play. Auburn drew the game with 46 seconds left on a transfer bucket from a British turnover, but Davion Mintz was willing to save the day and delivered three more late to give UK a lead they would not give up .
Like almost every Kentucky game this season, the game has come down to the wire. Unlike many of the previous games, the Wildcats have won this time around.