Make it four in a row for Kentucky.
The Wildcats (13-6, 4-2 Southeastern Conference) won for the fourth straight time for the first time this season with an 85-80 triumph over Texas on Wednesday night.
Unlike its three previous comeback victories, Kentucky didn’t need a second-half rally to defeat the Longhorns. The Cats finished it off at the foul line, hitting 6 of 8 free throws in the final minute after not making a field goal in the last 5:48 of the game.
“We played one of the top offensive teams in the country and I thought we had some great individual efforts on the defensive end and some team efforts,” Kentucky coach Mark Pope said. “I’m proud of our guys for grinding out the win.”
Denzel Aberdeen made all six free throws in the final minutes and led the Wildcats with 19 points. Paced by Aberdeen, the Wildcats made 30 of its 35 foul shots and connected on 23 of those in the second half. Kentucky withstood 11 lead changes and 11 ties.
Collin Chandler and Otega Oweh added 18 points each, with Chandler scoring a career-high. Playing with an illness, Chandler played a big role in the second half and scored 14 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Chandler missed the shoot-around prior to the contest because of a stomach bug.
“I thought he was great and it was hard,” Pope said. “You're kind of like cold sweats in bed for three straight days and then get up and come compete in the game. For him to come perform like he did, I thought he was elite.”
Chandler practiced despite the illness but took a break to prepare for the game.
"I missed shoot-around today mostly to just catch up on sleep and rest and being sure I had all my energy for tonight, but there was never doubt on whether I was going to play or not," he said. "I haven’t been feverish which has been the nicest thing about it, but there’s been stuff going around. That’s just how the winter is so it’s something I get every year.”
Texas coach Sean Miller said Chandler was a difference-maker for Kentucky. Chandler got the call after Kam Williams left the game in the first half with a broken foot.
“They have great depth,” Miller said. “They have the ability to bring guys in off the bench that can make a difference and make plays. Collin Chandler was six-for-six from the line, 18 points. He really hurt us tonight. He had two really big threes. He comes off the bench and he can change the game. He is a really good player and I think he’s an important player for Kentucky.”
Pope said Williams broke a bone in his foot and will be sidelined “for a while.”
“He's just a beautiful kid,” Pope said. “I thought he actually made some special plays tonight. So we're going to get him back healthy as soon as we possibly can.”
Malachi Moreno provided eight points but was a factor on the defensive end with five blocks and added six assists with only two turnovers.
“That's a ridiculous number,” Pope said of the blocks. “That's really good.”
Miller also praised the outing by Moreno against his squad.
“I think he's one of the best freshmen in the country certainly has a big role on Kentucky's team, and I think he's improving,” he said.
Texas forward Dailyn Swain led all scorers with 29 points. The Longhorns, who edged the Wildcats 82-78 a year ago in Austin, fell to 11-8 and 2-4 on the season.
Gametracker: Ole Miss at Kentucky, 11 a.m.CT, Saturday. TV/Radio: ESPN, UK Radio Network on 94.7 The Mix and WiLLiE 102.
Denzel Aberdeen scored 19 in Kentucky's 80-75 win over Texas on Wednesday. It was the Cats' fourth consecutive SEC victory. (Photo by Les Nicholson)
