Kentucky Easily Handles Fairleigh Dickinson 83-52
By Peggy Gilligan
With a week to work with his team Coach Calipari stressed fight and finish. It seemed to have worked the Cats with a new starter in Johnny Juzang played great defense and rolled to a victory over the FDU Knights 83-52. The Rupp Arena crowd of 20,080 watched as EJ Montgomery had a breakout game of 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block. Keion Brooks Jr. also had a great day with stats of 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block and 1 steal.
The Cats went on a 19-2 run starting at around the 11 minute mark of the first half. This was halted when FDU hit 2 straight 3 point shots and prompting Calipari to call a time out at the 4:00 minute mark with a 35-19 score. The first play after the timeout was Juzang missing a shot and grabbing the rebound resulting in him getting fouled and hitting both free throws. This is what Coach Cal in his post game comments called the biggest play of the game.
The first half the Wildcats shot 53% from the field and made only one 3 point shot and hit 6 of 7 free throws. The second half stats similar 14 of 28 from the field for 50%, again making only one three point shot and 11 of 12 free throws.
In his post game comments Coach Greg Herenda stated he was disappointed with his teams showing. He said the felt it would be a learning experience and was thankful for the opportunity to play in Rupp Arena. He also praised EJ Montgomery and Keion Brooks said they were great today. He also noted that he tried to recruit Nate Sestina before he chose Bucknell and felt he would be a great asset to Kentucky when he returns from the wrist injury.
Coach Cal in his final comments stated that the upcoming games with Georgia Tech and Utah would be tough games. The team would need to continue to focus on fight and finish to be ready for the next games.
He also said the guys need to focus on the finishing the last four minutes of games.
The next game for Kentucky is against Georgia Tech on December 14th at 5:00 in Rupp Arena.