No. 13 Kentucky tops No. 10 Arkansas 75-64 in SEC opener

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Rhyne Howard scored 24 points, including a key 3-pointer during a clinching 9-2 run, and No. 13 Kentucky topped No. 10 Arkansas 75-64 on Thursday night in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.

Kentucky (8-1, 1-0) overcame a sluggish start from a 12-day break to eventually lead 57-48 early in the fourth quarter before Arkansas rallied to within 63-60 with 3:19 remaining. Blair Green then made a 3-pointer, Jazmine Massengill added a layup and Howard a 3 for a nine-point cushion.

A technical foul on Razorbacks coach Mike Neighbors led to a free throw by Green before KeKe McKinney added another to make it 73-62 with :49 left before Green (10 points) made a layup.

Howard was 9 of 17 from the field with four 3-pointers and scored 12 points in the second quarter to put Kentucky ahead. McKinney had 10 points, and Olivia Owens and Robyn Benton added nine.

Chelsea Dungee had 20 points, Destiny Slocum 12 and Erynn Barnum and Amber Ramirez 11 each for the Razorbacks (9-2, 0-1), who had won their previous six games, including 83-78 upset of then-No. 4 Baylor.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Kentucky has another ranked challenge on Sunday, but at least holds steady with a big win. The end of Arkansas’ win streak could mark the end of its top-10 stay.

BIG PICTURE

Arkansas didn’t arrive in Lexington until late afternoon but stayed close for most of the game. But the Razorbacks shot just 39%, including 5 of 21 from long range after entering the game with 101 3s.

Kentucky initially looked rusty from its long break before finding energy in the second quarter on both ends to seize the lead. Defense in the middle quarters was key in slowing the high-scoring Razorbacks, and their depth made a difference down the stretch, outscoring the Razorbacks 23-11 in bench points.

UP NEXT

Arkansas hosts Missouri on Sunday.

Kentucky visits No. 12 Mississippi State on Sunday, replacing a previously scheduled game at Tennessee because of COVID-19 issues within the Volunteers’ program.

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