Kentucky scores first 24 points, crushes UCLA 83-42

CHICAGO – Billed as a battle of the bluebloods, a collision of college basketball's two tradition-richest programs, the CBS Sports Classic turned out to be a gory exhibition of the modern separation between Kentucky and UCLA.

The top-ranked Wildcats eviscerated the Bruins from the opening tip, scoring the game's first 24 points, holding UCLA to single-digits through halftime and rolling to an 83-42 win at the United Center. Kentucky (12-0) looked like it belonged in an NBA arena.

The Bruins (8-4) missed 17 shots to start the game, needed 7:43 to score their first points and required another 5:21 to score again. Shooting guards Aaron Harrison and Devin Booker, who combined for 34 points and hit 8 of 14 3-pointers, staked the Cats to a 33-4 lead that grew to 41-7 by halftime.

That's the fewest points Kentucky has allowed in a half since 1943 and put the Cats on pace to break the NCAA shot-clock era records for points allowed and opposing field-goal percentage. But even when the Bruins warmed up in the final 20 minutes, UK's offense had endless answers.

The Wildcats shot 50 percent for the game, hit a dozen 3-pointers and turned it over just 12 times.

In the first half alone, Kentucky blocked eight shots, UCLA turned it over eight times and the Bruins hit just 3 of 37 shots in the first half. It was the ninth time this season the Cats held an opponent to fewer than 20 points in a half.

Their latest rout sets up a battle of top-five, unbeaten teams – assuming rival Louisville doesn't stub its toe Tuesday night – next weekend at the KFC Yum! Center. It is now reasonable to wonder whether the Cardinals might be the only team left with a chance to beat UK in the regular season.

The Cats never trailed, led by double digits for the final 37 minutes and by as many as 44 points. By comparison, UCLA lost by just 10 to both Gonzaga and Oklahoma and by 22 to North Carolina.

Kyle Tucker writes for The Courier-Journal, a Gannett company.