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  Monday, Dec. 27 8:00pm ET
Kentucky 62, Ala Anchorage 42
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Ticker) -- Tayshaun Prince scored 10 points as 25th-ranked Kentucky overcame a sluggish start before posting an unimpressive 62-42 victory over Division II Alaska-Anchorage.

Kentucky, which fell out of the rankings earlier this month, struggled for a good part of the first half and trailed 16-13 with 6:33 remaining. But the Wildcats closed the half with a 14-2 burst to open a nine-point advantage.

Jamaal Magloire and freshman Marvin Stone added 10 points apiece for the Wildcats (7-4), who returned to the rankings this week following impressive victories over Michigan State and Louisville.

"The intensity level wasn't there," Magloire said. "We just need to work on some things and look forward to a good Missouri team. We have to continue to work and do what it takes to win."

Scott Larrabee scored 14 points for Alaska Anchorage (5-3), which has suffered all three of its losses to Division I opponents. The Seawolves lost to Washington and Louisville in the Great Alaska Shootout last month.

The Wildcats looked nothing like a ranked team for a good portion of the first half and were behind 16-13 after Larrabee nailed a 3-pointer with 6:33 to play before intermission.

However, Kentucky finally awoke. Saul Smith scored seven straight points, Stone hit two free throws and Nate Knight made a follow shot, giving the Wildcats a 24-16 lead with 2:50 left in the half.

Smith scored all nine of his points in the opening 20 minutes as the Wildcats led 27-18 at the break despite shooting just 32 percent (10-of-31). The Seawolves were even worse from the floor, shooting just 23 percent (6-of-26).

"I think we just showed a lack of focus at times," Smith said. "We can't have that. I don't think we had a letdown, we won by 20. I don't think we played as well as we could have or should have."

Kentucky built on its momentum in the second half and took its largest lead at 46-25 with 11:13 to play following a 3-pointer by J.P. Blevins.

Blevins' 3-pointer was the only one the Wildcats connected on from beyond the arc as they went a woeful 1-of-17 from 3-point range.

Kentucky shot 37 percent overall (25-of-67) while holding the Seawolves to 25 percent (15-of-59). Alaska-Anchorage did win the rebounding battle, 46-44.

"The horses were just too big for us tonight, but our game plan was to run our offense, run the shot clock down and look for a good shot," Alaska-Anchorage coach Charlie Bruns said. "I thought we executed that pretty well."

 


ALSO SEE
Mens College Basketball Scoreboard

Alaska Anchorage Clubhouse

Kentucky Clubhouse