National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Kentucky 81, Morehead St. 45
When: 6:00 PM ET, Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Where: Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, Lexington, Kentucky
Officials: # John Hampton, # Vladimir Voyard-Tadal, # Don Daily
Attendance: 3075

Brandon Boston Jr. recorded 15 points and seven rebounds to help No. 10 Kentucky cruise to an 81-45 victory over visiting Morehead State on Wednesday in the season opener for both teams at Lexington, Ky.

Two other freshmen, Devin Askew and Terrence Clarke, added 12 points apiece for the Wildcats. Creighton transfer Davion Mintz had 10 points for Kentucky.

The Wildcats shot 55.9 percent from the field and were 6 of 16 from 3-point range in the game that is part of the Bluegrass Showcase. Kentucky committed 15 turnovers.

Johni Broome (5-of-6 shooting) and Julius Dixon scored 11 points apiece for Morehead State. James Baker Jr. added 10 for the Eagles, who shot just 34 percent from the field -- including 3 of 21 from 3-point range -- and committed 20 turnovers.

Morehead State never led while dropping to 0-11 all-time against the Wildcats.

Clarke had three of Kentucky's eight steals. Askew and Mintz were each 2 of 3 from behind the arc.

The Wildcats shot 54.8 percent from the field in the first half and led 45-26 at halftime. Morehead State shot 34.6 percent in the half.

Kentucky controlled the game from the outset and held an early 15-4 lead after Mintz buried a 3-pointer with 12:53 left in the first half.

The Wildcats extended their advantage to 28-11 on Boston's three-point play with 7:03 remaining. The lead reached 20 for the first time at 41-21 on Boston's hoop with 2:20 to play.

The 19-point halftime lead was stretched to 52-28 on Boston's jumper with 16:01 left. Less than two minutes later, Mintz knocked down another 3-pointer to make it 59-32, and Olivier Sarr followed with a basket to increase the margin to 29 with 13:28 left.

Kentucky's lead reached 30 for the first time when Cam'Ron Fletcher swished an outside shot to make it 65-35 with 11:41 remaining.

The lead topped out at 39 points.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Morehead St.   Kentucky
Johni Broome 11 Scoring Brandon Boston Jr. 15
Ta'Lon Cooper 4 Assists Devin Askew 4
Johni Broome 5 Rebounds Brandon Boston Jr. 7
James Baker 4 Free Throws Made Davion Mintz 4
James Baker 1 Steals Terrence Clarke 3
James Baker 1 Blocks Isaiah Jackson 2
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Morehead St. 45 34.0 3-21 8-16 7 22 1 5 20
Kentucky 81 55.9 6-16 9-14 18 35 6 8 15