Freshmen provide spark for No. 22 Kentucky vs. S.C.-Upstate

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Joe Crawford had 17 points to lead four Kentucky players in double figures and the 22nd-ranked Wildcats went wire-to-wire in an 81-50 victory over South Carolina Upstate on Monday night in their second and final exhibition game.

The Wildcats got a 3-pointer from new point guard Ramel Bradley 30 seconds into the game and never looked back. Bradley also provided Kentucky's sole low point, fouling out late in the game.

Crawford was only 5-of-15 from the field. For the second straight exhibition game, it was the freshmen -- specifically guard Jodie Meeks and forward Perry Stevenson -- who provided the spark.

Shortly after entering the game early in the first half, Meeks scored on two fastbreak layups just seconds apart. He was fouled on the second and converted the three-point play. He had 13 points.

Stevenson was 4-for-4 from the field and had 11 points and nine rebounds for Kentucky, which shot 47 percent from the field.

While building their first-half lead, the Wildcats proved on consecutive possessions they can be dangerous both inside and out.

First, center Randolph Morris slammed a one-handed dunk to cap a three-on-one break for two of his 13 points. Next time down the Spartans closely defended the lane, leaving Crawford wide open on the baseline for one of his three 3-pointers.

For South Carolina Upstate, a school with 4,500 students in Spartanburg, S.C., four starters returned from last season's team that played in the Division II NCAA Tournament. Rhett Hardin led the way with 14 points, all in the second half.

The game at Rupp Arena marked the collegiate debut of South Carolina Upstate's Nick Schneiders, a 7-foot-2, 250-pound center from Germany. He had no points and three rebounds, missing two free throws in the final minute.

Kentucky opens the regular season against Miami (Ohio) on Nov. 15.