Kentucky secured a 72-63 victory over South Carolina on Tuesday night in Columbia, pulling away late with a decisive 10-0 run. The win improved Kentucky’s record to 18-10 overall and 9-6 in the Southeastern Conference.
Denzel Aberdeen led Kentucky with 19 points, making four of six shots from three-point range. Mo Dioubate contributed 12 points off the bench, while Andrija Jelavic scored 11 and Collin Chandler added 10.
Kentucky dominated the rebounding battle, collecting 48 rebounds compared to South Carolina’s 28. The Wildcats also outscored the Gamecocks in second-chance points, finishing with a 14-4 advantage.
South Carolina opened the game with a three-pointer, but Chandler quickly tied it for Kentucky. After falling behind early, Kentucky responded with a series of runs. Aberdeen’s shooting helped fuel a 13-0 stretch that gave the Wildcats their first lead at 16-15 and extended it to as much as seven before halftime. At the break, Kentucky led 28-21 with Aberdeen leading all scorers at that point.
The Gamecocks started strong after halftime, tying the game with a quick run. Jelavic answered for Kentucky by scoring five straight points to regain the lead. Both teams traded baskets throughout much of the second half until Dioubate’s play inside helped put Kentucky ahead again.
With just under two minutes left in regulation, Chandler hit a key three-pointer and Aberdeen made two free throws to push Kentucky’s lead to nine points. A dunk by Dioubate sealed the outcome in the final minute.
Kentucky will next face Vanderbilt at Rupp Arena on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
