NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Graham Ek had a season-high 28 points and 10 rebounds as No. 11 Gonzaga beat No. 18 Kentucky 94-59 on Friday night. The venue felt more like South Rupp Arena, and Wildcat faithful packed Brigston Arena, home of the NHL’s Nashville Predators.
Gonzaga (8-1) notched its third top-25 win of the season and third win over a Southeastern Conference team by double digits. The Bulldogs have been an underdog ever since they were defeated by the then-No. 7 Michigan, Nov. 26 in Las Vegas.
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Brayden Huff added 20 points for Gonzaga, and Adam Miller and Brayden Smith each scored 11 points.
Gonzaga never trailed, scoring the first seven points. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 19-2 lead and extended the deficit to 25 points. At halftime, the Wildcats trailed 43-20, and Kentucky fans in blue booed the Wildcats from the sidelines.
Gonzaga continued to expand its lead in the second half. Fans rushed toward the exits when Huff’s basket made it 86-53 with 3:57 left. In the final minute, the Bulldogs led by 37 points.
Kentucky (5-4) has guard Jaland Lowe returning from a right shoulder injury that has kept him sidelined for the past five games. He came off the bench as the Wildcats suffered a losing streak and five straight losses. They lost to No. 16 North Carolina 67-64 on Tuesday night.
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The Wildcats missed their first 10 shots, including seven from beyond the arc. They kept making shots, and the fans cheered when Denzel Aberdeen finally hit Kentucky’s first 3-pointer to make it 19-5 with 11:04 left. As the shots continued to miss, the fans began to boo.
Otega Oweh led Kentucky with 16 points and Collin Chandler scored 11.
Next
Gonzaga hosts North Florida on Sunday.
Kentucky will host North Carolina Central on Tuesday night.
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