Gamecocks outmuscle, outshoot Kentucky Wildcats 79-62

The 6th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats were outmuscled by the South Carolina Gamecocks on Tuesday night, 79-62 in Columbia.

The Gamecocks (16-3) played a physical style that kept Kentucky from getting off to a good start. South Carolina took a 33-25 lead into the half.

Kentucky, noted for the best offense in the country at 91.6 points per game, ended up having one of its worst shooting nights of the season — it finished at 40.3% (25 for 62).  It was just the second time this season that the Cats failed to top the 80-point mark. 

Antonio Reeves mustered 15 points for the Cats.

Meanwhile, South Carolina came into the game ranked 180th nationally in 3-point field goal percentage at 33.2%. But the Gamecocks broke out from behind the line, hitting 11-for-24 from 3-point territory for 45.8%.

After Tuesday’s loss, Kentucky (14-4) is now 1-2 in SEC road games.

On Saturday, the Cats will travel to Fayetteville to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks.