Kentucky basketball vs. Auburn: Cats snap four-game losing streak

View Comments LEXINGTON – Kentucky had been here before. Three previous times this season the Wildcats had led with four minutes left on the clock only to see a victory slip away. Kentucky had been outscored by 39 points in the final four minutes of games entering Saturday’s contest against Auburn. So, when the Tigers rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit to tie the game at 77 with 46 seconds remaining on a fast-break layup off a Kentucky turnover, no one in Kentucky’s huddle could have been confident the outcome would go the Wildcats’ way. Only this time Kentucky made the plays in the final minute it had so often failed to do during an embarrassing season. A crucial 3 from Davion Mintz and a couple of key rebounds later, Kentucky had escaped Rupp Arena with an 82-80 victory. “We needed that a lot, honestly,” freshman guard Brandon Boston said. “Just keep fighting every day, every game, all 40 minutes. We’ve just got to start closing out games the way we did today.” More: NCAA opens door to cancel conference tournaments; what does it mean for Kentucky? While beating an Auburn team ineligible for postseason play due to a self-imposed ban that entered the day in 10th place in the Southeastern Conference standings will do little to change the outlook of Kentucky’s season by itself, there were several positive signs on display for John Calipari’s team. Kentucky’s offense struggled again in the first half, trailing by as many as nine points, but erupted to start the second half with 17 points in the first 4:06 after intermission. The Wildcats’ two healthy first-round draft prospects finally played like stars at the same time. Freshman forward Isaiah Jackson posted a double-double with a team-high 18 points and 11 rebounds. Boston added 17 points, hitting 5 of 8 3-point attempts. Calipari’s oft-repeated directive to play through the post paid dividends with senior forward Olivier Sarr contributing three assists during the opening run of the second half. Sophomore forward Keion Brooks continued to provide balanced contributions with 12 points, five rebounds and four assists. But no part of the win was more important than the final 46 seconds. “We’ve been making strides for three weeks, but you’ve got to have a reward at the end,” Calipari said. “Because of all the hard work, all the extra conditioning they’re doing and shots, then sacrificing for the team, you got to have some reward and you’ve got to win somewhere.” Kentucky actually won the final four minutes on Tuesday against Arkansas, rallying back from a six-point deficit at the final media timeout with 2:33 remaining to take a lead with 14 seconds remaining, but a controversial foul call on an Arkansas put-back attempt went against Kentucky and gave the Razorbacks two free throws with seven seconds left. Kentucky’s last possession failed to even advance past half court when a miscommunication about the play resulted in an ugly turnover. While the Arkansas rally proved Kentucky’s players continue to fight despite the team’s ugly record, the outcome extended UK’s losing streak to four games. It was Kentucky’s seventh defeat in the last eight games. Against Auburn, the fight was finally rewarded with an actual win. “It just gives us confidence,” Jackson said. “Now we know what it feels like to be in a tie game with that many seconds left, we know what to do. We know who’s going to hit the dagger, finish the game out. We’re just building on everything we’ve been playing.” Also : Q&A: Could UK recruit North Laurel star Reed Sheppard? Father preaches not looking ahead Like he did against Arkansas, Mintz hit the go-ahead 3 against Auburn, atoning for his turnover on the previous possession that had allowed Auburn to tie the game. Jackson then blocked Sharife Cooper’s layup attempt, and sophomore forward Jacob Toppin came down with the rebound. Toppin hit 1 of 2 free throws to stretch the lead to two possessions. Auburn missed two attempts at a basket on its next possession before Jackson grabbed his 11th rebound of the game and converted 1 of 2 free throws with six seconds remaining to clinch the win. The victory is not the first time Kentucky has looked on the verge of a possible breakthrough this season – see double-digit wins over Florida and LSU – but only twice before this season against Mississippi State and Vanderbilt had Kentucky executed enough down the stretch of a close game. Even after the win, Kentucky has no realistic chance to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament in the final three weeks of the season. Everything is about preparing to make a run at the SEC’s automatic bid in the SEC Tournament in Nashville. To win the SEC Tournament, the Wildcats will almost certainly have to come through in a close game. At least now they know they are capable. “I just want to keep painting the picture that I believe in you,” Calipari said. “We have some flaws. We have some limitations. But guess what? So does everybody else. … We have enough to win.” Email Jon Hale at ; Follow him on Twitter at @JonHale_CJ . Staff Directory Careers Accessibility Support Site Map Legals Our Ethical Principles Terms of Service Privacy Policy Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info / Cookie Policy