Marshall University Athletics
Fourth-Ranked Kentucky Too Much for Marshall
11/16/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Fourth-Ranked Kentucky Too Much for Marshall
11/16/2001
- Box Score
J.R. VanHoose scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds against UK and was honored by fans with a standing ovation at Rupp Arena. |
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The University of Kentucky used its depth and defensive prowess to pull away from Marshall and record a 90-73 victory over the Thundering Herd in college basketball action Friday night at Rupp Arena.
"We had to bounce back," said UK guard Keith Bogans, who had 22 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the fourth-ranked Wildcats (1-1)in the consolation game of the NABC Classic.
"Tonight, we came to play. Last night, we didn't."
Erik Daniels added 10 points and Tayshaun Prince nine as Kentucky played with much more energy and emotion than it did Thursday night in a season opening loss to Western Kentucky.
The Wildcats, who had only six assists and turned the ball over 20 times in their loss to the Hilltoppers, had 20 assists and only nine turnovers against the Thundering Herd (0-2). They also scored 31 points off 23 Marshall turnovers.
"I thought we rebounded the right way," Kentucky coach Tubby Smith said. "We came out and played well right from the start.
Tamar Slay scored 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, J.R. VanHoose added 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Latece Williams had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Thundering Herd. However, the trio of double-doubles was not enough to overcome the Wildcats.
"Coming in, you know you're up against a tough and talented club that is very athletic," Marshall coach Greg White said. "They have the total package."
Kentucky led by 16 at halftime and never let Marshall back within 12 in the second half. The lead grew to as many as 23 late in the game, but Marshall outscored the Wildcats 10-3 over the final three minutes to narrow the gap.
"We just ran out of gas," White said. "We fought hard for 40 minutes, and that's all I ask from my players. We'll just have to take this experience and build on it."
Kentucky shot 40 percent from the field and hit 32 percent of its 3-point shots - 9-of-28. In comparison, Marshall shot 39 percent from the field, making only 4-of-16 3-pointers.
Kentucky jumped out to a 22-16 lead midway through the first half. But the Thundering Herd fought back, tying the game at 26 on VanHoose's two free throws with 6:23 to play.
From that point, Marquis Estill had eight points as the Wildcats closed out the half with an 18-2 run to take a 46-30 halftime lead. In the second stanza, the Thundering Herd managed to stay close only being outscored by one point (44-43), thanks in no small part to Tamar Slay's 21-point second half effort.
With 17 seconds remaining in the game, Marshall senior J.R. VanHoose, a native of Paintsville, Ky., left the game and received a standing ovation from the crowd of more than 20,000 at Rupp Arena as he waved to the crowd.
"That was a very special moment for me," VanHoose said. "Not many visiting players get a standing ovation in Rupp Arena and it meant a lot to me."