Instant Analysis: Tigers suffer tough loss in Lexington
The Auburn Tigers were looking to end a historical drought on Saturday by pulling off a win at Kentucky, and snapping a 35-year losing streak to the Wildcats at Rupp Arena.
Both teams played tight for a while, but a score from Kentucky’s Jacob Toppin with 5:03 to go in the first half gave them a lead that they would not relinquish, and a second half of shooting 56.7% from the field allowed Kentucky to cruise to an 86-54 win on Saturday.
Kentucky stayed consistent in the shooting department, by connecting on 56% of their shots throughout the game. Oscar Tshiebwe and Jacob Toppin combined to record 29 rebounds while Auburn as a team created just 23 boards.
Auburn kicked off the game in style with a three-pointer by Johni Broome to give the Tigers the early 3-0 lead with 19:32 remaining in the first half. Each team would trade leads multiple times through the first 15 minutes of the game before Kentucky gained control with 5:03 left in the half.
Kentucky’s Jacob Toppin made a second-chance layup with 5:03 in the first half to give the Wildcats the 26-25 lead. From there, Kentucky went on a 14-4 run to go into the locker room with a 40-29 halftime lead.
Allen Flanigan made a layup to open the second half, which cut Kentucky’s lead back to nine, 40-31. However, it would be the last time that the Tigers would be that close to the Wildcats, as Chris Livingston would answer with a layup to put his squad back in front, 42-31, with 18:43 left in regulation.
The Wildcats would go on to build a lead as high as 40 points in the final stanza. Cason Wallace connected on a jump shot with 2:30 remaining in the game to put Kentucky up, 86-46, their largest lead of the game.
Jaylin Willams and Johni Broome paced the team in points with 13 and 12 respectively. Dylan Cardwell lead the team in boards with five, and Wendell Green Jr. led in assists with two.
Auburn will travel to Tuscaloosa on Wednesday for the final road game of the regular season. Tipoff between Auburn and No. 2 Alabama is set for 6 p.m. CT.
