LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky went on a 24-6 run over a seven-minute span in the middle of the second half to pull away from the LSU men’s basketball team and win, 84-61, on Wednesday night in Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky.
LSU (11-13, 1-12 SEC) kept the No. 13 Wildcats within four at halftime, 34-38, and cut the lead to two, 43-41, at the 16:26 mark on two Ronald Dupree free throws. However, Kentucky shot better than 62 percent from the field in the second half (18 of 29) to bury the beleaguered Tigers, who shot only 34 percent in the half (10 of 29).
The Tigers lost their eighth straight game dating back to a victory over Mississippi State on Jan. 24.
Kentucky (18-7, 11-2 SEC) finished the game shooting 55 percent from the field (33 of 60) including 13 of 26 from three-point range. The Wildcats were led by Keith Bogans who scored all 23 of his points in the second half.
Four of LSU’s five starters finished with double-figure scoring performances, as Jermaine Williams had 14, Brian Beshara had 13, Collis Temple III scored 12 and Ronald Dupree had 10 points and 12 rebounds.
LSU returns to action on Saturday evening when the Tigers face Mississippi State in the Maravich Assembly Center at 7 p.m.