Bulls set sights on top-ranked Wildcats

Nov 16, 2014 - 4:28 PM Lexington, KY (SportsNetwork.com) - The top-ranked Kentucky Wildcats welcome the Buffalo Bulls to Rupp Arena on Sunday afternoon as part of the Cawood Ledford Classic.

Buffalo endured a tightly contested battle in its opener at home and eventually defeated South Dakota State, 69-67. This marks the first time the Bulls have enjoyed a 1-0 start since 2011.

The Wildcats, the preseason No. 1 for the second straight season, got their campaign off to a roaring start with a convincing 85-45 home victory over Grand Canyon, as they improved to 6-0 in season openers under coach John Calipari. Apart from a neutral-court battle with nationally-ranked Kansas on Nov. 18, Kentucky will play 10 of it first 11 games of the season at Rupp Arena.

This marks the first-ever meeting between the Bulls and the Wildcats.

In a game that consisted of 10 ties and 11 lead changes, Buffalo took the lead for good in the final minute on a Jarryn Skeete layup, and it forced two turnovers in the final 30 seconds to hang on for the two-point win. The Bulls were not at their best in regards to their field goal shooting (.324), which included making just 1-of-9 from 3-point range, but they were aided by a great showing at the foul line (24-of-30) and by winning the turnover battle, 14-8. Justin Moss shined in the frontcourt with 25 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks while making all 11 of his free-throw tries. Shannon Evans chipped in 17 points, albeit on just 6-of-19 from the floor, and Lamonte Bearden tallied eight points and six assists.

As expected, Kentucky pulled away from Grand Canyon early in its opener, as it pieced together a 28-7 run in the first half and never broke a sweat from there. The Wildcats played outstanding defense, forcing their opponent into more turnovers (21) than field goals (15), and they shot an impressive 48.6 percent from the field themselves. The performance could have been even more impressive had they not struggled from 3-point range (3-of-14). Andrew Harrison was the catalyst with 16 points. Willie Cauley-Stein logged 12 points and four blocks, and Dakari Johnson had a double-double off the bench with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Highly touted freshmen Trey Lyles (14 points) and Karl-Anthony Towns (eight points, eight rebounds, three blocks) were both impressive in their debuts.