LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - One week after knocking off Oregon State on the road former East Hall standout Frank Davis and Tennesse Tech could not pull off the same magic Saturday at Rupp Arena.
Davis scored nine points but kentucky's Patrick Patterson posted season-highs with 24 points and 15 rebounds for Kentucky leading the Wilcats to a 69-47 win.
Kentucky, which had been chastised by coach Billy Gillispie for not being tough enough and not doing the little things, outrebounded Tennessee Tech 46-25 and held the Golden Eagles to 26 percent shooting.
Playing with their ninth different starting lineup in 10 games after Gillispie benched Bradley and fellow senior guard Joe Crawford for the first half because they were late for a team function, the Wildcats (5-5) scrapped their way past the overmatched Golden Eagles (4-8).
While hardly perfect not after turning it over 21 times and playing sporadically in the first half it was an improvement after lackluster performances during the team's longest losing streak since 1989-90.
``I thought we played better in some stretches today,'' Gillispie said. ``But we're going to play much better.''
Patterson led the way, dominating at both ends of the floor while collecting his fourth double-double of the season. The freshman was 11-of-14 from the field in 39 minutes and showed no ill effects from an ankle injury that kept him out of Tuesday's loss at Houston.
Patterson considered the victory an early Christmas gift for his hard-driving coach, a win that meant the Wildcats could go home for a brief respite rather than spend the holiday dealing with Gillispie's withering glare.
``That's probably the best gift he could get,'' Patterson said with a laugh.
Coached by former Kentucky assistant Mike Sutton, Tennessee Tech tried to limit Patterson's touches, but could do little to stop him once he had the ball in his hands.
``He's very physical for us to defend,'' Sutton said.
Anthony Fisher led Tennessee Tech with 12 points but the Golden Eagles couldn't find the magic that led them to a 17-point road win at Oregon State last Sunday.
``They are big, long and athletic,'' Sutton said. ``They forced us to do things off balance. What we wanted to do was penetrate, pitch and keep the floor really spread and play fast. But when you don't make shots it's difficult to do that.''
The Wildcats played without guard Jodie Meeks, who sat out with a hip flexor strain. Meeks played his first game in six weeks during the loss to Houston, scoring 21 points. But he did not practice following the game, but could return next Saturday when the Wildcats host San Diego.
Tuesday
April 1st, 2025
3:27PM
