Bluegrass romp: Kentucky blows out Abilene 79-44 at NCAAs
With PJ Washington watching from the bench in a cast, second-seeded Kentucky romped to a 79-44 victory over NCAA Tournament newcomer Abilene Christian on Thursday night.
2019 ScheduleAll times ET
2019 Schedule
2nd in Southland
- 11/6AAYW 107-54
- 11/9W 94-73
- 11/15W 67-61
- 11/22W 72-56
- 11/23W 73-71
- 11/24W 60-48
- 11/27HWPW 90-53
- 12/1L 77-62
- 12/4W 83-68
- 12/8SCHRW 93-53
- 12/1511L 82-48
- 12/21W 70-68
- 12/29MMRW 88-40
- 1/2W 68-58
- 1/5L 71-68
- 1/9W 73-72
- 1/12W 75-72
- 1/16W 75-68
- 1/19W 78-69
- 1/23L 61-60
- 1/26W 79-56
- 1/30W 78-71
- 2/6W 75-64
- 2/9L 90-85
- 2/13W 64-48
- 2/16W 68-48
- 2/23L 75-66
- 2/27W 73-64
- 3/2W 67-55
- 3/5W 72-58
- 3/9W 81-52
- 3/15W 69-66
- 3/16W 77-60
- 3/212L 79-44
- Full Schedule
Andrea Adelson ESPN Senior Writer
Sign of the night from the Abilene Christian band ...
Andrea Adelson ESPN Senior Writer
Kentucky beat Abilene Christian resoundingly in the first round, thanks in large part to the trio of Keldon Johnson, Tyler Herro and Travis Reid. Johnson scored a game-high 25 points, while Herro and Travis combined for 32. It will get tougher from here, but for one game anyway, Kentucky didn't need PJ Washington to get a win.
Andrea Adelson ESPN Senior Writer
Here's a pretty interesting stat to note from Kentucky's 39-13 halftime lead on Abilene Christian. The 13 points are the fewest Kentucky has given up in a half in NCAA tournament history.
Andrea Adelson ESPN Senior Writer
With PJ Washington watching from the sideline, Kentucky overwhelmed Abilene Christian in the first half, showing it did not need its star player to handle the undermanned No. 15 seed. Kentucky outscored Abilene Christian 26-6 in the paint and outrebounded them 23-10. Kentucky was 9-of-12 on layups, compared with 3-of-9 for Abilene Christian.
Andrea Adelson ESPN Senior Writer
Kentucky is making it look too easy against Abilene Christian, using its superior size advantage and athleticism to jump out to an early 17-3 lead. Abilene Christian has had trouble getting its jumpers to fall, while Kentucky has dominated in every area.
Split decision: Coach to face UK with torn pants
Abilene Christian coach Joe Golding, who ripped the seat of his pants while celebrating the Southland Conference tournament title, will wear those same pants when he faces Kentucky on Thursday.
Kentucky's Washington in boot ahead of tourney
Second-seeded Kentucky says leading scorer and rebounder PJ Washington is wearing a walking boot, but only "as a precaution."
2019 NCAA tournament bracket projection for Abilene Christian Wildcats
ESPN analyst Joe Lunardi and his team of bracketologists examine the 2019 NCAA tournament outlook for the Abilene Christian Wildcats.
North Carolina, Kentucky lead the way in Midwest (4:52)
Abilene Christian wins Southland for 1st NCAA berth
Jaren Lewis had 20 points and six rebounds, Jaylen Franklin added 16 points and six assists and Abilene Christian beat New Orleans 77-60 on Saturday night in the Southland Conference championship game for its first NCAA Tournament berth.
Abilene Christian punches ticket to NCAA tournament (0:23)
Franklin rises up for the baseline slam (0:18)
Lewis lifts Abilene Christian over Incarnate Word 81-52
Jaren Lewis had 19 points to lead five Abilene Christian players in double figures as the Wildcats routed Incarnate Word 81-52 on Saturday.
Abilene Christian tops Stephen F. Austin 72-58
Jaylen Franklin tallied 16 points and 10 assists to carry Abilene Christian to a 72-58 win over Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday night.
Lewis leads Abilene Christian over Central Arkansas 67-55
Jaren Lewis had 16 points and nine rebounds and Jaylen Franklin posted 12 points, eight assists and six rebounds as Abilene Christian beat Central Arkansas 67-55 on Saturday.
Abilene Christian defeats Texas A&M-CC 73-64
Jaren Lewis and Jaylen Franklin scored 16 points apiece as Abilene Christian defeated Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 73-64 on Wednesday night. Hayden Farquhar added 12 points, Payten Ricks scored 11 and Joe Pleasant had 10 for the Wildcats.
Greenwood leads SE Louisiana over Abilene Christian 75-66
Moses Greenwood had 27 points and 11 rebounds as Southeastern Louisiana defeated Abilene Christian 75-66 on Saturday.
Friday scores 15 to carry Abilene Christian over UIW 68-48
Jalone Friday registered 15 points as Abilene Christian easily defeated Incarnate Word 68-48 on Saturday.
Abilene Christian rolls to 64-48 win over Nicholls
Jaren Lewis scored 15 points and grabbed five rebounds as Abilene Christian rolled to a 64-48 win over Nicholls State Wednesday night.
Sam Houston St. defeats Abilene Christian 90-85 in 2OT
Marcus Harris scored 10 of his 23 points in the second extra period as Sam Houston State held on to beat Abilene Christian 90-85 in double overtime on Saturday to remain perfect in the Southland Conference.
Franklin, Friday lead Abilene Christian past Lamar
Jaylen Franklin scored 20 of his 22 points in the second half, Jalone Friday added 14 points and Abilene Christian defeated Lamar 75-64 on Wednesday night.
Abilene Christian holds off Texas A&M-CC 78-71
Jaren Lewis and Payten Ricks scored 18 points apiece and Abilene Christian nearly blew a 17-point second-half lead but held off Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 78-71 on Wednesday night to beat the Islanders for the first time in 10 tries.
Abilene Christian rolls past Central Arkansas, 79-56
Jalone Friday scored 17 points and Abilene Christian claimed sole possession of second place in the Southland Conference by beating Central Arkansas, 79-56 on Saturday.
Bogues leads way as SFA rallies in final seconds
Shannon Bogues scored the final 5 points and Stephen F. Austin rallied from a 7-point deficit in the final 26 seconds to defeat Abilene Christian 61-60 on Wednesday night.
2018-19 Southland Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Houston State | 16-2 | - | 21-12 |
| Abilene Christian | 14-4 | 2 | 27-7 |
| Lamar | 12-6 | 4 | 20-13 |
| New Orleans | 12-6 | 4 | 19-14 |
| SE Louisiana | 12-6 | 4 | 17-16 |
| Texas A&M-CC | 9-9 | 7 | 14-18 |
| Central Arkansas | 8-10 | 8 | 14-19 |
| Houston Baptist | 8-10 | 8 | 12-18 |
| Stephen F. Austin | 7-11 | 9 | 14-16 |
| Nicholls | 7-11 | 9 | 14-17 |
| Northwestern State | 6-12 | 10 | 11-20 |
| McNeese | 5-13 | 11 | 9-22 |
| Incarnate Word | 1-17 | 15 | 6-25 |
Team Stats
Points Per Game73.6
Rebounds Per Game32.6
Assists Per Game15.4
Points Allowed63.619th
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Tournament History
| Final Fours | 0 |
| Tournament Record | 0-0 |
| Championship Seasons | None |
| Tournament Appearances | 0 |