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Wildcats Edge Texas A&M, 74-73

Hamidou Diallo slams home two points in a win vs. UIC earlier this season. Diallo led Kentucky with 18 points vs. Texas A&M on Tuesday night at Rupp Arena. (Photo by Barry Westerman, courtesy of UK Athletics).

 

The No. 21 Kentucky Wildcats squeaked past a desperate Texas A&M team on Tuesday night, pulling out a close one, 74-73.

 

Four Wildcats reached double figures, led by Hamidou Diallo with 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting. The freshman guard battled the flu during last week’s matchups with LSU and Tennessee but bounced back with a solid performance Tuesday night.

 

The matchup didn’t have much defense, as both teams shot above 50 percent from the floor. The difference was at the free throw line where Kentucky held an eight-point advantage after shooting 65 percent on 22-of-34, much better than the Aggies 58 percent mark.

 

The Wildcats were forced to play a man down when it was announced that Quade Green would miss the game with a lower back injury. As a result, four players played more than 30 minutes and Brad Calipari gave the team three solid minutes in the first half.

 

In the absence of Green, Shai Gilegous-Alexander stuffed the stat sheet once again. SGA knocked down 6-of-10 shots on his way to scoring 16 points, adding a team-high 7 rebounds and 5 assists.

 

Joining Diallo and SGA in double figures were Kevin Knox (15 points) and PJ Washington (16 points). Washington turned in his third straight solid performance, adding 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Additionally, Knox broke out of a slump and knocked down all five of his shot attempts, including 2-of-2 from three-point range.

 

The Wildcats and Aggies started hot out of the gate, as both teams shot above 60 percent early on. Both teams went back and forth in the first half but Kentucky secured a 37-35 lead at the half.

 

The Wildcats toughness came into account during the second half, as Texas A&M built its largest lead at 59-53. From that point on, Kentucky began clawing their way back, eventually evening the score at 65 with 3:16 to play. A layup by Kevin Knox finally gave Kentucky the lead for good with 2:28 to play and the Wildcats held on for a one-point victory.

 

The win moves Kentucky to 13-3 on the season and 3-1 in SEC play. A nice bounce-back win after dropping a road game to Tennessee last Saturday. Meanwhile, Texas A&M moves to 0-4 in SEC play. The Wildcats return to action at Vanderbilt on Saturday afternoon.

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