LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) Otega Oweh scored 20 points and No. 17 Kentucky took advantage of its size to start the second half to pull away for an 82-61 win over Vanderbilt on Wednesday night.
The Wildcats (18-8, 7-6 Southeastern Conference) led 41-40 at the half, but focused on going inside for their first three baskets of the second half and forced the Commodores to take a timeout three minutes in.
Amari Williams added 17 points for the Wildcats.
Devin McGlockton led Vanderbilt (17-9, 5-8) with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Commodores only shot 30% from the field in the second half – including 1 for 10 on 3-pointers – after shooting 49% in the first half.
Vanderbilt: The Commodores continued a troubling trend in second halves of conference games. They have allowed opponents to shoot 56% in the second half, 45% on 3-pointers. Kentucky shot 65% in the second half and 50% on 3s.
Kentucky: The Wildcats have only been at full strength seven times this season. They played without starters Lamont Butler (shoulder) and Jaxson Robinson (wrist) for the second straight game. Using a point guard by committee, freshmen Travis Perry and Colin Chandler combined for 13 points and seven rebounds.
After Vanderbilt had got within three points at 47-44, Kentucky went on a 12-2 run to open a double-digit lead at 59-46. Williams and Carr scored two baskets each and Koby Brea ended it with a 3-pointer.
The Commodores dominated the paint in the first half, outscoring the Wildcats 20-12 inside and holding an 18-12 rebounding edge, including eight offensive boards. Kentucky reversed that in the second half, winning the rebounding battle 18-12 and 20-14 in the paint.
Both teams play on Saturday, with Vanderbilt hosting No. 25 Mississippi and Kentucky traveling to No. 4 Alabama.
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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
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| TOP SCORERS | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
99
 |
D. McGlockton F | 14PTS | 10REB | 2AST | |
|
00
 |
O. Oweh G | 20PTS | 7REB | 3AST | |
| STARTERS | PTS | REB | AST | PF |
| D. McGlockton | 14 | 10 | 2 | 2 |
| J. Edwards | 10 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| C. Manon | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| A. Hoggard | 5 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| T. Nickel | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| BENCH | PTS | REB | AST | PF |
| J. Carey | 12 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| M. Collins | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| T. Tanner | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| J. Roberts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| G. Huffman | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| G. Calton | – | – | – | – |
| M. Keeffe | – | – | – | – |
| J. Williams | – | – | – | – |
| K. Wright | – | – | – | – |
| C. Messer | – | – | – | – |
| K. Bilal | – | – | – | – |
| H. Smith | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 61 | 29 | 14 | 14 |
| STARTERS | PTS | REB | AST | PF |
| O. Oweh | 20 | 7 | 3 | 4 |
| A. Williams | 17 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| K. Brea | 12 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| A. Carr | 11 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| T. Perry | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| BENCH | PTS | REB | AST | PF |
| A. Almonor | 9 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| C. Chandler | 7 | 6 | 2 | 3 |
| B. Garrison | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| T. Noah | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| W. Horn | – | – | – | – |
| G. Darbyshire | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 82 | 28 | 16 | 14 |