Kentucky shuts down Magee, beats Wofford 62-56 in NCAAs
AP
Mar 23, 2019
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) Everywhere Fletcher Magee turned, there was a hand in his face, a body in his way, a relentless wave of blue that was intent on making sure he never found any alone time.
Kentucky Wildcats totally and completely shut down the most prolific 3-point scorer in Division I history.
Thanks to that stifling defensive effort, the Wildcats are moving on in the NCAA Tournament.
Magee missed all 12 attempts from long range in his final college game Saturday, and Kentucky held off Wofford Terriers 62-56 in the second round of the Midwest Region.
''We wanted to make him put the ball on the floor and make a basketball play,'' said freshman guard Ashton Hagans, one of the players tasked with shutting down the Wofford gunner.
Mission accomplished.
Reid Travis scored 14 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and made two huge free throws with 17.8 seconds left to help seal the victory for second-seeded Kentucky (29-6). But coach John Calipari knew the key to this game was at the defensive end.
''If they hit a normal amount of 3s, they probably beat us,'' the coach said, savoring his eighth trip to the Sweet 16 in a decade as the Wildcats' coach.
Wofford (30-5) certainly had its chances, limiting the Wildcats to 40 percent shooting (21 of 52) and holding its own on the boards.
But Magee simply couldn't make a shot, which was even more stunning since he had hit seven less than 48 hours earlier in a victory over Seton Hall, the night he eclipsed the Division I record for career 3-pointers.
After his 12th and final attempt ricocheted wildly off the rim, skipping out of bounds in front of a stunned Wofford section, Magee rubbed his head in seeming disbelief.
A dirty dozen, indeed.
''I'm still kind of in shock,'' Magee said.
He insisted that his looks weren't that much harder than what he normally gets in the Southern Conference. But something was a little off, and Kentucky's defensive pressure appeared to wear him down by the final horn.
It was only the second time all season that Magee failed to make at least one shot from long range, following an 0-for-9 performance at Kansas in early December.
''It just doesn't seem right to end on a game going 0 for 12 from 3,'' Magee said. ''If I go 3 for 12, we win the game. I'm not sure how that happens. I'm sure I won't get over it for a while.''
The rest of the Wofford roster went 8 of 15 from 3-point range. Nathan Hoover made four of them to finish with 19 points and Cameron Jackson chipped in with 11 points. Magee finished with 8 points on 4-of-17 shooting overall.
Kentucky's length, athleticism and effort certainly had something to do with Magee's dismal showing. Tyler Herro had a tough shooting game himself, but he did a yeoman's job on the Wofford gunner. Hagans and Jemari Baker Jr. also stepped up at times to keep an eye on Magee.
''It was the effort and energy, and my hope is they got a little worn down because these guys did not stop,'' Calipari said, looking over at his players. ''They just chased, and they knew they couldn't let up in this game or they were going to score baskets.''
Hagans added 12 points for the Wildcats, who fell behind by as many as 6 points in the first half before going on a late spurt that sent them to the locker room with a 28-26 lead. The Terriers briefly recaptured the lead early in the second half, but Kentucky went ahead for good with 14 1/2 minutes remaining and doggedly protected their advantage the rest of the way.
The Wildcats managed to win twice in Jacksonville without their leading scorer and rebounder, sophomore PJ Washington, who watched the games from the bench wearing a hard cast on his sprained left foot.
BATTLE ON THE INSIDE
Kentucky's Nick Richards caused a stir the day before the game when he said his team's big men were better than Wofford's.
Actually, the Terriers weren't overmatched at all.
Richards had only 3 points and three rebounds in 25 minutes, while EJ Montgomery was limited to 5 points and two rebounds in limited time. Combined with Travis, the forward trio had 22 points and 16 rebounds.
Wofford's Jackson, Keve Aluma and Matt Pegram totaled 20 points and 22 rebounds.
BIG PICTURE
Wofford: The Terriers certainly proved worthy of the No. 7 seed, the highest for a Southern Conference team since 1979, but a horrendous performance by their best player spelled the end of their 21-game winning streak. Still, they can savor the first NCAA Tournament victory in school history.
Kentucky: The Wildcats head to the regional semifinals with all eyes on Washington, who will likely have his cast removed the middle of next week and hopes to be back on the court next weekend.
UP NEXT
Wofford: Will have to replace key seniors Magee, Jackson and Pegram, but the future looks bright for the tiny school from Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Kentucky: Faces either No. 3 seed Houston or 11th-seeded Ohio State next Friday in the regional semifinal at Kansas City, Missouri. The Cougars play the Buckeyes on Sunday.
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1st Half
WOFF
Terriers
26
UK
Wildcats
28
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Jumpball received by Wofford
19:47
+2
Nathan Hoover made jump shot, assist by Cameron Jackson
2-0
19:20
Lost ball turnover on EJ Montgomery, stolen by Cameron Jackson
19:09
Nathan Hoover missed jump shot
19:07
Defensive rebound by Tyler Herro
19:00
Ashton Hagans missed floating jump shot
18:58
Defensive rebound by Cameron Jackson
18:35
+3
Cameron Jackson made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Storm Murphy
5-0
18:07
Keldon Johnson missed 3-pt. jump shot
18:05
Defensive rebound by Storm Murphy
17:44
Nathan Hoover missed floating jump shot
17:42
Defensive rebound by Keldon Johnson
17:15
+2
EJ Montgomery made jump shot, assist by Ashton Hagans
5-2
16:58
Fletcher Magee missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:56
Defensive rebound by EJ Montgomery
16:54
Personal foul on Cameron Jackson
16:47
+2
Keldon Johnson made jump shot, assist by Ashton Hagans
5-4
16:25
+3
Storm Murphy made 3-pt. jump shot
8-4
15:49
Reid Travis missed jump shot
15:47
Defensive rebound by Matthew Pegram
15:33
Out of bounds turnover on Keve Aluma
15:21
Reid Travis missed turnaround jump shot
15:19
Defensive rebound by Matthew Pegram
15:05
Personal foul on Keldon Johnson
15:00
Fletcher Magee missed fade-away jump shot
14:58
Defensive rebound by Reid Travis
14:46
Keldon Johnson missed floating jump shot
14:44
Defensive rebound by Nathan Hoover
14:27
Bad pass turnover on Matthew Pegram, stolen by EJ Montgomery
14:22
Shooting foul on Matthew Pegram
14:22
EJ Montgomery missed 1st of 2 free throws
14:22
+1
EJ Montgomery made 2nd of 2 free throws
8-5
14:21
Bad pass turnover on Cameron Jackson, stolen by Immanuel Quickley
14:15
Tyler Herro missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:13
Offensive rebound by Reid Travis
14:15
+2
Reid Travis made dunk
8-7
13:57
+3
Nathan Hoover made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Ryan Larson
11-7
13:39
Tyler Herro missed jump shot
13:37
Defensive rebound by Cameron Jackson
13:25
Ryan Larson missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:23
Defensive rebound by Reid Travis
13:16
+2
Immanuel Quickley made floating jump shot, assist by Ashton Hagans
11-9
12:53
Jumpball received by Kentucky
12:53
Lost ball turnover on Cameron Jackson, stolen by EJ Montgomery
12:29
+2
Nick Richards made alley-oop shot, assist by Ashton Hagans
11-11
12:03
Offensive foul on Chevez Goodwin
12:03
Turnover on Chevez Goodwin
11:49
Personal foul on Cameron Jackson
11:33
Immanuel Quickley missed 3-pt. jump shot
11:30
Offensive rebound by Kentucky
11:12
Tyler Herro missed 3-pt. jump shot
11:10
Defensive rebound by Tray Hollowell
10:58
+3
Donovan Theme-Love made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Storm Murphy
14-11
10:33
Bad pass turnover on Keldon Johnson, stolen by Tray Hollowell
10:18
Matthew Pegram missed turnaround jump shot
10:16
Defensive rebound by Reid Travis
10:09
Immanuel Quickley missed jump shot
10:07
Defensive rebound by Donovan Theme-Love
9:39
+2
Matthew Pegram made hook shot
16-11
9:12
+2
Keldon Johnson made driving layup
16-13
8:40
Storm Murphy missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:38
Defensive rebound by Tyler Herro
8:32
Keldon Johnson missed driving layup
8:30
Defensive rebound by Keve Aluma
8:09
Tray Hollowell missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:07
Defensive rebound by Tyler Herro
7:46
+2
Tyler Herro made jump shot
16-15
7:16
Shooting foul on EJ Montgomery
7:16
Cameron Jackson missed 1st of 2 free throws
7:16
Cameron Jackson missed 2nd of 2 free throws
7:16
Defensive rebound by EJ Montgomery
6:52
Lost ball turnover on Jemarl Baker Jr., stolen by Ryan Larson
6:49
Ryan Larson missed driving layup
6:45
Offensive rebound by Wofford
6:44
Bad pass turnover on Cameron Jackson, stolen by EJ Montgomery
6:41
Offensive foul on EJ Montgomery
6:41
Turnover on EJ Montgomery
6:30
Fletcher Magee missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:28
Offensive rebound by Keve Aluma
6:25
Personal foul on Nick Richards
5:57
+3
Nathan Hoover made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Storm Murphy
19-15
5:35
Ashton Hagans missed jump shot
5:33
Offensive rebound by Ashton Hagans
5:16
Ashton Hagans missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:14
Defensive rebound by Keve Aluma
5:05
+2
Keve Aluma made layup, assist by Fletcher Magee
21-15
4:38
Shooting foul on Keve Aluma
4:38
+1
Jemarl Baker Jr. made 1st of 3 free throws
21-16
4:38
+1
Jemarl Baker Jr. made 2nd of 3 free throws
21-17
4:38
+1
Jemarl Baker Jr. made 3rd of 3 free throws
21-18
4:19
Shooting foul on Keldon Johnson
4:19
+1
Nathan Hoover made 1st of 3 free throws
22-18
4:19
+1
Nathan Hoover made 2nd of 3 free throws
23-18
4:19
+1
Nathan Hoover made 3rd of 3 free throws
24-18
4:02
Jemarl Baker Jr. missed floating jump shot
4:00
Offensive rebound by Tyler Herro
3:50
Ashton Hagans missed driving layup
3:48
Offensive rebound by Reid Travis
3:30
Tyler Herro missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:28
Defensive rebound by Keve Aluma
3:28
Personal foul on Reid Travis
3:11
Fletcher Magee missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:09
Defensive rebound by Reid Travis
2:52
+2
Reid Travis made hook shot
24-20
2:16
Fletcher Magee missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:14
Defensive rebound by Kentucky
1:49
+2
Jemarl Baker Jr. made jump shot
24-22
1:31
Lost ball turnover on Matthew Pegram, stolen by Ashton Hagans
1:27
+2
Ashton Hagans made driving layup
24-24
1:11
Storm Murphy missed floating jump shot
1:09
Defensive rebound by Nick Richards
51.0
+2
Ashton Hagans made jump shot
24-26
22.0
+2
Fletcher Magee made jump shot
26-26
5.0
Personal foul on Fletcher Magee
2.0
Shooting foul on Matthew Pegram
1.0
+1
Reid Travis made 1st of 2 free throws
26-27
1.0
+1
Reid Travis made 2nd of 2 free throws
26-28
0.0
End of period
2nd Half
WOFF
Terriers
30
UK
Wildcats
34
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:50
+2
Cameron Jackson made jump shot
28-28
19:31
+2
Reid Travis made hook shot
28-30
19:08
Personal foul on Reid Travis
19:06
+2
Nathan Hoover made jump shot, assist by Storm Murphy
30-30
18:46
Ashton Hagans missed jump shot
18:44
Defensive rebound by Fletcher Magee
18:35
+2
Fletcher Magee made driving layup
32-30
18:14
+2
Reid Travis made layup, assist by EJ Montgomery
32-32
17:45
Keve Aluma missed layup
17:43
Offensive rebound by Keve Aluma
17:44
Shooting foul on EJ Montgomery
17:44
+1
Keve Aluma made 1st of 2 free throws
33-32
17:44
Keve Aluma missed 2nd of 2 free throws
17:44
Defensive rebound by Reid Travis
17:18
Offensive foul on Keldon Johnson
17:18
Turnover on Keldon Johnson
17:00
+2
Fletcher Magee made jump shot
35-32
16:41
Personal foul on Keve Aluma
16:22
Tyler Herro missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:20
Offensive rebound by Kentucky
16:11
Tyler Herro missed driving layup
16:09
Offensive rebound by Ashton Hagans
16:04
+3
Jemarl Baker Jr. made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Tyler Herro
35-35
15:46
Fletcher Magee missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:44
Offensive rebound by Keve Aluma
15:34
Nathan Hoover missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:32
Defensive rebound by Reid Travis
15:14
Shooting foul on Storm Murphy
15:13
+1
Ashton Hagans made 1st of 2 free throws
35-36
15:13
+1
Ashton Hagans made 2nd of 2 free throws
35-37
14:59
+2
Cameron Jackson made reverse layup
37-37
14:32
Shooting foul on Cameron Jackson
14:32
+1
Ashton Hagans made 1st of 2 free throws
37-38
14:32
Ashton Hagans missed 2nd of 2 free throws
14:32
Defensive rebound by Keve Aluma
14:15
Lost ball turnover on Matthew Pegram, stolen by Jemarl Baker Jr.
14:09
Ashton Hagans missed driving layup, blocked by Matthew Pegram
14:07
Offensive rebound by Kentucky
13:56
Jemarl Baker Jr. missed jump shot
13:54
Defensive rebound by Matthew Pegram
13:40
Fletcher Magee missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:38
Defensive rebound by Nick Richards
13:12
+2
EJ Montgomery made jump shot, assist by Tyler Herro
37-40
12:53
Storm Murphy missed 3-pt. jump shot
12:51
Defensive rebound by Tyler Herro
12:45
Personal foul on Nathan Hoover
12:36
+3
Keldon Johnson made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Tyler Herro
37-43
12:11
Bad pass turnover on Tray Hollowell, stolen by Reid Travis
12:03
Jemarl Baker Jr. missed driving layup
12:01
Offensive rebound by Keldon Johnson
12:02
+2
Keldon Johnson made dunk
37-45
11:47
Cameron Jackson missed hook shot
11:45
Offensive rebound by Cameron Jackson
11:42
+2
Cameron Jackson made dunk
39-45
11:19
Offensive foul on Tyler Herro
11:19
Turnover on Tyler Herro
10:57
Cameron Jackson missed hook shot
10:55
Offensive rebound by Keve Aluma
10:38
+2
Keve Aluma made layup, assist by Storm Murphy
41-45
10:08
Ashton Hagans missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:06
Defensive rebound by Fletcher Magee
9:59
Fletcher Magee missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:57
Defensive rebound by Reid Travis
9:42
Personal foul on Fletcher Magee
9:33
+2
Ashton Hagans made floating jump shot
41-47
9:33
Personal foul on Storm Murphy
9:33
+1
Ashton Hagans made free throw
41-48
9:18
Cameron Jackson missed driving layup
9:16
Offensive rebound by Cameron Jackson
9:11
Cameron Jackson missed dunk
9:09
Offensive rebound by Keve Aluma
9:06
Storm Murphy missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:04
Defensive rebound by Keldon Johnson
8:54
Bad pass turnover on Ashton Hagans
8:42
Fletcher Magee missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:40
Defensive rebound by Keldon Johnson
8:37
Personal foul on Storm Murphy
8:37
+1
Tyler Herro made 1st of 2 free throws
41-49
8:37
+1
Tyler Herro made 2nd of 2 free throws
41-50
8:21
+3
Nathan Hoover made 3-pt. fade-away jump shot, assist by Storm Murphy
44-50
7:55
Keldon Johnson missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:53
Offensive rebound by Tyler Herro
7:49
Offensive foul on Keldon Johnson
7:49
Turnover on Keldon Johnson
7:36
Personal foul on Ashton Hagans
7:33
+2
Fletcher Magee made driving layup, assist by Cameron Jackson
46-50
7:15
+2
Reid Travis made layup, assist by Tyler Herro
46-52
7:01
Fletcher Magee missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:59
Defensive rebound by Jemarl Baker Jr.
6:45
Kicked ball violation on Wofford
6:33
+2
Ashton Hagans made driving layup
46-54
6:11
Personal foul on Nick Richards
6:11
+1
Cameron Jackson made 1st of 2 free throws
47-54
6:11
+1
Cameron Jackson made 2nd of 2 free throws
48-54
5:54
Reid Travis missed hook shot
5:52
Defensive rebound by Cameron Jackson
5:40
+3
Nathan Hoover made 3-pt. jump shot
51-54
5:12
+3
Tyler Herro made 3-pt. jump shot
51-57
4:49
Cameron Jackson missed hook shot, blocked by Nick Richards
4:47
Defensive rebound by Jemarl Baker Jr.
4:29
Tyler Herro missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:27
Defensive rebound by Storm Murphy
4:09
Cameron Jackson missed turnaround jump shot
4:07
Defensive rebound by Ashton Hagans
3:52
Tyler Herro missed hook shot
3:50
Offensive rebound by Reid Travis
3:36
Shooting foul on Keve Aluma
3:36
+1
Nick Richards made 1st of 2 free throws
51-58
3:36
Nick Richards missed 2nd of 2 free throws
3:36
Defensive rebound by Cameron Jackson
3:25
Fletcher Magee missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:23
Defensive rebound by Nick Richards
3:06
Reid Travis missed jump shot
3:04
Defensive rebound by Nathan Hoover
2:44
+3
Storm Murphy made 3-pt. jump shot
54-58
2:27
Reid Travis missed driving layup, blocked by Keve Aluma