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Kentucky basketball vs. LSU: Live updates as Wildcats hold off LSU to win 23rd game

Reina Kempt, Louisville Courier Journal
·6 min read

The Kentucky men's basketball team (22-5, 11-3) is coming off a win against Alabama and is seeking revenge against LSU on Wednesday night.

The Wildcats fell to LSU 65-60 in its conference opener on Jan. 4, but has since gone on a tear winning 11 of their next 13 games.

UK was without Sahvir Wheeler and TyTy Washington, its top two point guard options, against Alabama, and Kellan Grady split time at point guard with Davion Mintz.

Wheeler and Washington could also miss the LSU game, and Grady will again have to step up and play big minutes for the Wildcats.

Playing with the ball in his hands more often, Grady scored a season-high 25 points on 9-of-16 shooting. He made 7 of 9 3s while playing 39 of 40 minutes in the game, beat writer Jon Hale wrote.

UK men's basketball: How to watch or stream Kentucky basketball vs. LSU: Game time, TV channel

UK men's basketball: How Kellan Grady thrived with as a point guard for short-handed Kentucky basketball

Follow along for live updates below.

Final score: Kentucky 71, LSU 66

Kentucky was down in the first half, but made a strong comeback and led by double digits late in the game. LSU, however, wasn't ready to give up and forced 10 UK turnovers in the second half. In total, Kentucky had 12 turnovers.

One of the top candidates for National Player of the Year, Oscar Tshiebwe, proved to be a double-double machine once again with 16 points and 16 rebounds. He also added three blocks and made 5 of 7 (71%) of his shots from the floor.

Another star of the night for Kentucky was Bryce Hopkins, who put up 13 points and four rebounds off the bench. Hopkins made 5 of his 6 shot attempts (83%).

Davion Mintz and Kellan Grady also scored 13 points each.

LSU's Xavier Pinson had a game-high 26 points.

7:48 2nd H: Kentucky holds lead against LSU

Tari Eason has fouled out for LSU. He leaves with five points and one rebound. Bryce Hopkins and Davion Mintz have 11 points each for UK. Before tonight, Hopkins had scored 10 points total in SEC play.

Kentucky 51, LSU 45

11:58 2nd H: Oscar Tshiebwe has a double-double

The Cats lead by five points as Oscar Tshiebwe has 14 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks.

Kentucky 45, LSU 40

13:48 2nd H: Hello, Bryce Hopkins

While Kentucky is shorthanded tonight, players are still stepping up in a big way. Bryce Hopkins has 11 points for UK off the bench. Since the second half began, Kentucky has outscored LSU, 20-7.

Kentucky 43, LSU 38

15:49 2nd H: Kentucky makes a comeback

Davion Mintz has helped the Wildcats mount a comeback early on in the second half with seven points. Kentucky now trails by just two.

LSU 36, Kentucky 34

Halftime: LSU leads No. 3 Kentucky, 31-23

The Kentucky Wildcats find themselves down by double digits at halftime against the LSU Tigers. Xavier Pinson leads LSU with 16 points and three assists.

For UK, Oscar Tshiebwe got close to a double-double in the first half with 12 points and seven rebounds. The next leading scorer for the Cats is Kellan Grady with four points.

LSU has made 50% of its three-point attempts while Kentucky is 0 for 5 from deep. Overall, UK has made 8 of 24 shots (33%).

3:04 1st H: Kentucky is down without key players

Things aren't going great for UK. With a little more than three minutes left before halftime, Kentucky is losing by double digits. UK is 0 for 4 from three-point range and has put up a couple air balls as well.

LSU 29, Kentucky 19

7:40 1st H: Kentucky losing by double digits on ESPN

The Wildcats find themselves down by double digits in the first half for the second straight game. LSU's Xavier Pinson has 14 points on 5 of 9 shooting from the floor.

LSU 25, Kentucky 15

10:45 1st H: National Player of the Year candidate Oscar Tshiebwe starts strong

While Kentucky trails, Oscar Tshiebwe has nine points, four rebounds and two blocks already. Xavier Pinson has 12 points for LSU.

LSU 20, Kentucky 13

15:22 1st H: Can Kentucky bounce back after previous loss to LSU?

Oscar Tshiebwe has a team-high four points for Kentucky as LSU holds a slight lead early in the game.

LSU 11, Kentucky 8

Will TyTy Washington and Sahvir Wheeler play against LSU?

Unfortunately for the Wild, both players are apparently out a second consecutive game. With Sahrvir Wheeler and TyTy Washington not in the lineup, Kentucky will attempt to avenge its January loss at LSU with a short-handed roster again.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky basketball vs. LSU: UK holds off LSU comeback, wins SEC game