Kentucky turns sluggish start into double-digit halftime lead

There were six combined points five minutes into the game, South Carolina leading Kentucky 4-2 as the teams shot 3-16 to get things started. After the Gamecocks pushed ahead by three with 13:03 to go in the first half at 11-8, the Cats responded with an 11-0 run to take a 19-12 lead before blowing things open down the stretch. That would turn into a solid 14-point cushion at halftime, exactly what the doctor ordered after losing two straight and four of five.

Andrew Carr leads the way with nine points on 3-5 shooting, followed by Koby Brea with eight on 3-4 overall and 2-3 from three. Brandon Garrison (6), Amari Williams (5), Jaxson Robinson (3) and Otega Oweh (2) are the other scorers for the Cats, who are currently shooting 40.6 percent overall and 36.4 percent from deep.

For the Cocks, it’s the Collin Murray-Boyles show, scoring 10 points with five rebounds at the break. Nick Pringle has added three points and seven boards for USC.

It hasn’t been perfect, but it’s hard to complain about a 12-1 run to close out the first half to take a 33-19 lead against the worst team in the SEC. Kentucky’s job is to win today and they’re on track to do it after a sluggish start.

20 minutes to close this one out and get back to .500 in the SEC.