By MIKE SMITH
BOISE, ID – Senior Wes Clark scored 29 points, but the Buffalo Bulls were unable to stop a strong Kentucky offense Saturday as the Wildcats pulled away for a 95-75 victory at Taco Bell Arena.
Kentucky, which registered its fifth straight win and 9th victory in the last 10 outings, continued a late-season surge. The Wildcats (26-10) were up 51-42 at the half. While Buffalo (27-9) made several runs after intermission, UK answered each challenge.
Dantay Caruthers’ “and-one” play at 8:10 pulled the Bulls within five at 72-67. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander responded in kind at 7:36. That started a 12-2 Kentucky run that left the hosts with a 15-point advantage (84-69). The Wildcats then added to their lead for a final 20—point margin.
Although both teams hit seven 3-point goals, UK owned 10 more baskets overall. The Wildcats made 36 of 64 (56.3%) from the floor, while Buffalo made 26 of 67 (38.8%). Both teams also had 16 makes at the free throw line.
Joining Clark in double figures for Buffalo were CJ Massinburg (18 points, eight rebounds) and Jeremy Harris (10 points).
Gilgeous-Alexander, a 6-6 guard and part of UK’s freshen-laden lineup, nearly doubled his season average with 27 points. He made 10 of 12 shots from the field, including both 3-point attempts, and hit 5 of 7 charity tosses.
Hamidou Diallo, knocked down 9 of 12, finishing with 22 points. Wenyen Gabriel posted a double-double with 16 points and 12 boards. PJ Washington contributed a dozen points.
NOTES:
- Kentucky won the battle of the boards 42-30 and had a 4-1 advantage in blocks.
- The Wildcats notched six steals to four by UB.
- Buffalo committed 10 turnovers, while Kentucky totaled 13.
- Buffalo finished its season with a school-record 27 wins and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. The Bulls will return 11 players next season looking to win their fourth MAC Championship in five years.