| Bledsoe Show | ||||
|
 Eric Bledsoe (photo by Steven Moline) Playing without the suspended John Wall, the freshman guard sparked a 11-2 run to open the second half as Kentucky's 33-25 halftime advantage ballooned to a 44-27 bulge in the first four minutes as the Wildcats mauled the Eagles 75-59. The Birmingham, Ala. native scored seven points during that stretch and 22 of his game-high 24 points in the second half to go along with seven rebounds and a team-high four assists. Bledsoe's 24 points were the most by a Wildcat freshman in his first game in school history. "I said 'I want you to take over the game," UK coach John Calipari said afterwards. "He's just a gamer. I love his courage on the floor. I said if you can make a play, make it. I told him 'I want you to ball." Morehead State coach Donnie Tyndall echoed that same sentiment. "If John Wall is better than him, wow," Tyndall said. "He took the game over. He was driving the ball in between two and three defenders, making his teammates better and drawing fouls. He is a special, special talent." Bledsoe, who connected on 7 of 14 shots and 9 of 10 free throws, said he got his marching orders from Calipari at halftime. "Coach told me to push it and quit worrying about my (injured) ankle," Bledsoe said. "I just had the mentality to go out and play my game." Patrick Patterson seemed to get himself on track and more involved in the offense, going for 20 points and 12 rebounds. Darnell Dodson, in his first game as a Wildcat, joined Patterson and Bledsoe in double figures with 15 as the Cats shot 50 percent from the floor (26 of 52) and outrebounded the Eagles on the glass 43-24. The Wildcats did commit 24 turnovers. The Cats return to action Monday against Miami (Ohio). Comments (0)
 Write comment
|
